Hypericum

Hypericum
Hypericum × moserianum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Clusiaceae Subfamily: Hypericoideae Tribe: Hypericeae Genus: Hypericum L.
Species
See text

Hypericum is a genus of about 400 species of flowering plants in the family Clusiaceae, formerly often treated separately in their own family the Hypericaceae. The genus has a nearly world-wide distribution, missing only from tropical lowlands, deserts and arctic regions.

Hypericum calycinium 'Hidcote'

The species vary from small annual or perennial herbaceous plants 5-10 cm tall, to shrubs and small trees up to 12 m tall. The leaves are opposite, simple oval, 1-8 cm long, either deciduous or evergreen. The flowers vary from pale to dark yellow, and from 0.5-6 cm diameter, with five (rarely four) petals. The fruit is usually a dry capsule which splits to release the numerous small seeds; in some species it is fleshy and berry-like.

All members of the genus may be referred to as "St. John's worts" or St.John's-worts, though they are also commonly just called Hypericums; other names include Rose of Sharon and Tutsan. Some species are used as ornamental plants and have large, showy flowers.

Various Hypericum species are exclusively used as food plants by the larva of the Treble-bar, a species of moth. Other Lepidoptera species whose larvae sometimes feed on Hypericum include Common Emerald, The Engrailed (recorded on Hypericum maculatum), Grey Pug and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

The genus has several synonyms; Adenotrias Jaub. & Spach, Androsaemum Duhamel, Androsemum Link, Ascyrum L., Lianthus N.Robson, Olympia Spach, Sanidophyllum Small, Sarothra L., Takasagoya Y.Kimura, and Triadenia Spach

Cultivation and uses

Numerous hybrids and cultivars have been developed for use as ornamental garden plants in horticulture, such as Hypericum × moserianum (H. calycinum × H. patulum) and Hypericum 'Hidcote'.

Hypericum perforatum is used in herbalism as an antidepressant. Some species are nuisance weeds in farmland and gardens.

Selected species

External Links

• Selecting Shrubs for Your Home - Kalm St. Johnswort (Hypericum kalmianum) (University of Illinois Extension)

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Hypericum

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