Heracleum rapula Franch.

This incompletely known species is recorded only from a few collections. It has reputed medicinal value.

Plants 80–120 cm high. Stem solitary, branched, setulose. Lower leaves ternate/pinnate; leaflets broad-ovate, 8–10 × 5–8 cm, adaxially sparsely setulose, abaxially densely setulose on the veins, 3–5-lobed, lobes ovate-triangular. Upper leaves smaller, sessile, 3-lobed on expanded sheaths. Bracts absent; rays 18–25, unequal; bracteoles 4–6, linear; flowers ca. 20 per umbellule. Calyx teeth minute. Petals white, outer flowers of umbels radiant. Fruit obovoid, 6–7 × 5–6 mm, glabrous; vittae solitary in each furrow, 2 on commissure, clavate, extending to 3/4 length of mericarp. Seed face plane. Fl. and fr. Jul–Oct.

Yunnan.

Streamsides, rice field margins; 2000–2200 m.