Objective: To learn the development characteristics of Bupleurum chinese DC. and to provide the cultivation fundament.
Method: Plant samples of different growing periods were collected and investigated.
Results: It was found that the development stages of B. chinense could be divided definitely into emergence of seedings, seedling, elongation of internode, flowering and fruiting, and dormancy. During its life, cotyledon, basal leaves and stem leaves appeared and died away in turn, and the stem extended to its full length in one month. The root reached its top length during seedling stage, and its diameter increased quickly from July to August. The dry substance accumulated in aerial part of the plant increased quickly, and that in root increased by 42.4%, 94.0%, or 40.1% respectively, from mid July to mid August after stem elongation beginning, from mid September to mid October, or from mid October to the date of harvesting.
Conclusion: Management methods and planting technologies of B. chinense should be mapped out according to the different characteristics of its three key growing stages.