Heracleum franchetii M. Hiroe

This species has reputed medicinal value.

Plants 60–100 cm. Root cylindrical, stout. Stem solitary, lower parts glabrous, pilose above. Basal leaves long-petiolate, sheaths purple; blade ovate-triangular, 16–30 × 9–16 cm, (1–)2-pinnate; pinnae 2 pairs, trifid, ultimate segments ovate-oblong, or lanceolate, 2–5 × 1–1.5 cm, abaxially pubescent, terminal leaflets decursive winged at the base, margin serrate, acuminate or acute at the apex. Cauline leaves gradually reduced upward, 3-lobed. Peduncles stout, 10–20 cm; bracts absent; rays 12–22, 3–9 cm, pilose; bracteoles 2–5, linear, shorter than pedicels; umbellules 10–20-flowered. Calyx teeth triangular. Petals white, outer flowers in umbels radiant. Fruit ovoid, 8–9 × 5–6 mm; vittae solitary in each furrow, 2–4 on commissure, clavate, more than 1/2 length of mericarp. Seed face plane. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.

W Hubei, Qinghai, W Sichuan, NW Yunnan.

Coniferous forests, forest margins, scrub, grassland, alpine meadows, streamsides; 2500–4500 m.