The morphological, histological and chemical characteristics of non-bolting and bolting roots of cultivated Bupleurum falcatum L. were statistically compared. In external characteristics, non-bolting (rosette) roots were found to be lighter, thinner, and more flexible than bolting roots taken from plants with flower-stalks. Histologically, non-bolting roots had a smaller xylem ratio, wider phloem tissue and a tendency to contain greater concentrations of tissue-specifically stored bioactive saikosaponins than did bolting roots, which had well-developed xylem mechanical tissue. Of these two types of growing plants, higher concentrations of magnesium and phosphorus were observed in roots of non-bolting plants.