Bupleurum nodiflorum Sibth. & Sm., is an annual herb, sub erect or ascending to procumbent, glabrous, up to 5-20 cm long, di-or trichotomously branched from the base with unequal, divaricate branches. Leaves 20-70 (-90) x 2-5 (-20) mm linear-lanceolate, acute, membranous at margin, 3-5 veined. Umbels axillary along the branches and terminal, head-like. Rays (3-) 5-12, unequal, mostly shorter than the bracts. Bracts 3-5, unequal, oblong-lanceolate, acute, mucronate. scabrous-margined. prominently 3-nerved; bracteoles 3-5 (-6), ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, cuspidate, with 3, thick prominent nerves, middle one keeled; interspace between nerves generally translucent to semitransparent. Flowers unequally, very short-pedicelled or sub sessile. Petals ovate-oblong, c. 0.8 mm, with incurved. truncate apices. Fruiting umbellules become hidden within indurated, ± conical bracteoles. Fruit 1.5-2 mm. oblong, brown, with prominently ribbed mericarps.
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