Spotted St. Johnswort, Hypericum punctatum
Hypericaceae or St. Johnswort Family
(in some books the Hypericaceae is included in the Clusiaceae or Mangosteen Family)
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Upright plant to several feet tall. Leaves oval, opposite each other, stalkless, dotted with black spots. Golden-yellow flowers at top of plant in branching clusters, with 5 petals and many stamens. Petals are dotted on the back..
Blooms in summer.
A native of damp areas. In Wildwood occasional in moist areas, especially near the entrance. The 5 yellow petals and many stamens is an easily recognized feature of St. Johnsworts. Common St. Johnswort (H. perforatum) is very similar, but the leaves are narrower and the petals are dotted along the edges; it also prefers drier habitats. Shrubby St. Johnswort (H. prolificum) is a woody shrub with pale yellow petals and many more stamens. Many other species of St. Johnsworts occur in Virginia, but have not been reported from the Park, yet. |
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