Clusiaceae

Hypericum perforatum

Common St. John's Wort

Stems erect from taproot. Shorter axillary stems without flowers 1–4 in. tall. Leaves opposite, 1/2–1 in., linear to oblong with edges rolled under, with black dots especially on underside. Inflorescence consists of 25–75 flowers per stem. Flowers with 5 sepals, lance-shaped, sharply pointed with many black and green dots; petals 5, oblong, reflexed, yellow with many black dots, with many long stamens. Grows in disturbed places, roadsides, fields, pastures, below 5000 ft. Toxic to livestock. A noxious weed partially controlled by an introduced flea beetle. Traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits and often used during the feast of St. John during midsummer.

• Rarity: Common
• Flowering Time: All Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 1--4 feet
• Habitat: Coastal, Meadow, Disturbed
• Found In: Siskiyous, Wallowas, Crater Lake Np, Mt. Rainier Np, Olympic Np, West Gorge, East Gorge, N Cascades Np
• Native: No