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ST. JOHN'S-WORT
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| File Size: 60 KB |
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Hypericum perforatum L.
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| Ottawa County, Kansas |
| Perennial |
| Height: 1-3 feet |
| Family: Clusiaceae - St. John's-wort Family |
| Flowering Period: June, July, August |
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| Stems: | | Erect, several to many, often branched, ridged, glabrous, reddish. | | Leaves: | | Opposite, simple, sessile, oblong to linear, .5 to 1.5 inch long, less than 1/3 inch wide, glabrous, glandular-dotted; margins entire, rolling downward; tips pointed to rounded; upper leaves reduced. | | Inflorescences: | | Cymes, densely flowered, leafy-bracted, terminal. | | Flowers: | | Sepals 5, linear-lanceolate, unequal; corollas 3/4 to 1 inch wide, petals 5, to 1/2 inch long, bright yellow to orange-yellow, margins black-dotted; stamens numerous, in 3 clusters. | | Fruits: | | Capsules, egg-shaped, to 3/4 inch long; seeds small, pitted, black or dark brown. | | Habitat: | | Prairies, pastures, waste areas, and roadsides, most abundant in sandy soils. | | Distribution: | | Throughout except southwest corner of Kansas. | | Toxicity: | | Plants contain hypericin, which causes a photosensitive reaction following ingestion. This toxic reaction can be fatal to sheep and goats, which readily graze the plant. | | Uses: | | Native Americans used St. John's-wort to treat fevers, coughs, intestinal problems, nosebleeds, and snakebites. | | Comments: | | The dark spots on the petals are said to represent drops of St. John's blood. St. John's-wort has become a problem weed in the western portions of the U.S., where it is known as Klamathweed. |
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| St. John's-wort |  | | 93 KB | | Ottawa County, Kansas |
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