Names and Myths

Hypericum Ancient Greek name. Means above a picture, or power over an apparition.⁹

 Hypericum from Greek hypo almost and ereike heather

perforatum perforated

 St. Johnswort -  many species are in flower on June 24 St. John the Baptist’s Day. Wort is old English for plant

Natural history / Folklore

Widely sold as a nutritional supplement, said to help with everything from bowel movements to insomnia. It was applied as a wound poultice for punctures and burns.⁹  Contains hypericin which passes unchanged into the bloodstream. In albino or light skinned species this causes an increased sensitivity to sunlight. This photosensitization has resulted in death. A tea made from the dry leaves would cause a similar photosentization in humans.³⁸

Leaves have a lemony smell and in small quanties may be added to a salad.³²

Description

Black marks along the margins of the yellow petals and translucent dots on leaves.