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St John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

St. John's Wort is a bright yellow flower that grows in sunny fields and meadows. It is known for its healing properties and is often used in herbal medicine.

Habitat: Fields, Meadows

Appearance

The St John's Wort has bright yellow, star-shaped flowers with five petals, often adorned with tiny black dots. Its oval leaves appear to have tiny transparent holes when held to the light, a unique feature.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyHypericaceaeGenusHypericum
St John's Wort
perennial trait badgearomatic trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badge
St John's Wort

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

22

Interesting facts

Animals with white fur can get sunburned from eating too much of it!

Hold a leaf to the sun; it looks like it's full of tiny holes!

Some beetles are specially adapted to only eat St John's Wort!

Squeeze its flower buds to see them 'bleed' a surprising red juice!

Special abilities

Ability

Red Ink Protector

St John's Wort can release a dark red liquid when its flowers or buds are crushed, which helps it defend against hungry insects.

Ability

Sun Sensor Leaves

St John's Wort has translucent dots on its leaves that act like tiny windows, possibly helping it regulate light or store oils.

Ability

Toxin Shield

St John's Wort produces special chemicals, like hypericin, that protect it from being eaten by many herbivores.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1-2.5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

An important pollinator of its flowers

eats

St. John's wort beetle

Chrysolina hyperici

Feeds on the leaves and flowers

eats

St. John's Wort Aphid

Aphis hyperici

Sucks sap from stems and leaves

Traits

Also known as

Klamath WeedSaint John's WortTipton Weed

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

While St. John's Wort is a beautiful plant, it's important not to pick or eat wild plants without adult supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify St John's Wort?

The easiest way to identify St John's Wort is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is St John's Wort?

30-90 cm

How wide does St John's Wort spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on St John's Wort?

1-2.5 cm

When does St John's Wort bloom?

Summer

Is St John's Wort edible?

No

Is St John's Wort toxic?

Moderate

What is St John's Wort's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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