Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum L., Sp. Pl. 785 1753. (Syn: Hypericum deidesheimense Sch.Bip. ex Trevir.; Hypericum lineolatum Jord.; Hypericum marylandicum Biroli ex Colla; Hypericum mixtum Des Moul.; Hypericum officinale Gaterau [Illegitimate]; Hypericum officinarum Crantz [Illegitimate]; Hypericum perforatum var. albiflorum Choisy …..; Hypericum vulgare Lam. [Illegitimate]; Hypericum vulgare Bubani [Illegitimate]);

Common name: Perforate St Johns Wort • Hindi: Choli phulya • Tamil: Vettai pakku

(India: In W. Himalayas from 1300 to 2800 m. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, W. Syria, C. Asia, Russia{Siberia), Europe, N. Africa; introduced in E. Asia, America and Australia) as per BSI flora of India (1993);

Perennial herb up to 1 m tall, branches ascending; leaves elliptic-oblong, ovate to oblanceolate, up to 4 cm long, sessile or subsessile, covered especially beneath with black glands appearing as perforations; flowers 15-25 mm across, sepals lanceolate to oblong, 3-6 mm long; petals up to 15 mm long, with black dots; stamens in 3 bundles; styles 3, twice as long as ovary; capsule ovoid, 5-9 mm long.
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Hypericum perforatum, also known as St John’s wort, is a flowering plant species in the genus Hypericum and a medicinal herb that is sold over-the-counter as a treatment for depression.^[1]^[2] Other names for it include Tipton’s weed, rosin rose, goatweed, chase-devil, or Klamath weed.^[1]

Hypericum perforatum is a yellow-flowering, stoloniferous or sarmentose, perennial herb indigenous to Europe. It has been introduced to many temperate areas of the world and grows wild in many meadows.

The herb’s common name comes from its traditional flowering and harvesting on St John‘s day, 24 June. The genus name Hypericum is derived from the Greek words hyper (above) and eikon (picture), in reference to the plant’s traditional use in warding off evil by hanging plants over a religious icon in the house during St John’s day. The species name perforatum refers to the presence of small oil glands in the leaves that look like windows, which can be seen when they are held against the light.^[1]

St John’s wort is a perennial plant with extensive, creeping rhizomes. Its stems are erect, branched in the upper section, and can grow to 1 m high. It has opposing, stalkless, narrow, oblong leaves that are 12 mm long or slightly larger. The leaves are yellow-green in color, with transparent dots throughout the tissue and occasionally with a few black dots on the lower surface.^[1] Leaves exhibit obvious translucent dots when held up to the light, giving them a ‘perforated’ appearance, hence the plant’s Latin name.

Its flowers measure up to 2.5 cm across, have five petals, and are colored bright yellow with conspicuous black dots. The flowers appear in broad cymes at the ends of the upper branches, between late spring and early to mid summer. The sepals are pointed, with glandular dots in the tissue. There are many stamens, which are united at the base into three bundles. The pollen grains are ellipsoidal.^[1]

When flower buds (not the flowers themselves) or seed pods are crushed, a reddish/purple liquid is produced.
(From Wikipedia on 12.12.13)
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Hypericaceae, Clusiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae Fortnight: Hypericum perforatum from Kashmir-GSNOV11 : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (3).

Hypericum perforatum Linn., Sp. Pl. 785. 1753.

Hypericum perforatum from Kashmir : Attachments (3). 3 posts by 2 authors.

Hypericum perforatum from Kashmir, Commonly growing on dry slopes at lower altitudes. Photographed from hill above Cheshmashahi on June 24, 2010,

Common names:

English: Common St John’s weed, Klamath weed, Goat weed, Perforate St John’s weed, Tipton weed

Hindi: Basant, Balsana, Dendhu

German: Tüpfel-Johanniskraut, Tüfel-Hartheu

French: millepertuis perforé;

Spanish: Hierba de San Juan, corazoncillo, hipérico
Interestingly I find the plant uploaded at FOI as this species is a member of Ranunculaceae, perhaps Caltha palustris. Note several spirally arranged achenes in that photo.

Thnaks for showing the leaf structure Sir Ji

The photographs at FOI have now been replaced by mine. Thanks … for quick action.

Hypericaceae, Clusiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae Fortnight: Hypericaceae : Hypericum perforatum :: at Sainj Ropa – GHNP: -PKA-Nov-20: : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (6).

Seen this herb near Sainj Ropa at GHNP at an altitude of approx. 1600m.
Could this be Hypericum perforatum
Family: Hypericaceae
Date/Time: 03-10-2014 / 10:00AM
habitat: Wild

A fairly common species. very good photographs, thanks for sharing …

Hypericaceae, Cluciaceae Dipterocarpaceae Fortnight:: Hypericaceae-Hypericum perforatum? for validation from Kosani:: NS 01 : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (3).
This small shrub was recorded from an apple orchrad (Ranibag) in Kausani..
Please help to determine the id, I think this fits closely to Hypericum perforatum..

Very good photographs. Thanks for sharing …

Hypericum Species : Niagara Falls,New York : 24NOV17 : AK-34 : 5 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (5)
Seen in a park in the Niagara Falls area growing wild.

End of June,17.

Could be Hypericum perforatum? Just a guess.

Look at Saint John’s Wort aka Hypericum perforatum.

Thanks for validating the id suggested by me.