# fourpetal St. Johnswort (*Hypericum tetrapetalum*)

Fourpetal St. Johnswort is a bright yellow flower that blooms in the summer. Its petals are shaped like little stars, and it can often be found in sunny spots.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![fourpetal St. Johnswort](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hypericum_tetrapetalum.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Katja Schulz, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hypericum_tetrapetalum.jpg)

## Appearance

The fourpetal St. Johnswort is a charming perennial herb with bright yellow flowers, each typically featuring four prominent petals. Its green leaves often have tiny, translucent dots and sometimes black glands, making it distinct. It stands out in sunny, damp areas.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Malpighiales
- **Family:** Hypericaceae
- **Genus:** Hypericum

## Interesting facts

- Its scientific name, 'Hypericum', means 'above the picture' because it was once hung to ward off spirits.
- Look closely at its leaves; they often have tiny translucent dots, making them look 'perforated'!
- Rubbing its petals or leaves can release a surprising reddish-purple liquid!
- This plant loves growing in wet, boggy soils so much it's sometimes called 'bog St. Johnswort'!

## Special abilities

- **Sun Shield:** The fourpetal St. Johnswort has special compounds that can make herbivores sensitive to sunlight, helping it defend against being eaten.
- **Wetland Warrior:** This plant has roots adapted to thrive in wet, boggy soils, allowing it to grow where many other plants can't survive.
- **Pollinator Beacon:** Its vibrant yellow flowers reflect UV light, creating a strong signal that helps attract bees and other insects for pollination.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-50 cm
- **Spread:** 15-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects pollen and nectar from its bright flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers to gather pollen and nectar.
- **Pollinates:** Elegant Hoverfly (*Epistrophe eligans*) — Feeds on nectar, helping to spread pollen.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers unless a grown-up says it's okay.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify fourpetal St. Johnswort?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is fourpetal St. Johnswort?

10-50 cm

### How wide does fourpetal St. Johnswort spread?

15-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on fourpetal St. Johnswort?

1-2.5 cm

### When does fourpetal St. Johnswort bloom?

Summer

### Is fourpetal St. Johnswort edible?

No

### Is fourpetal St. Johnswort toxic?

Mild

### What is fourpetal St. Johnswort's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Butterfly World](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-world) — Florida, US · Zoo
- [Matanzas State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matanzas-state-forest) — Florida, US · Forest

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [fourpetal St. Johnswort: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fourpetal-st-johnswort)