HYPERICACEJE. 59 HYPERICDM^ 



Grows in swamps. Leaves opposite, oblong-ovat.e, very obtuse, the upper 

 ones elliptical, all paler beneath. Flowers middle size, reddish yellow, on 

 axillary and terminal peduncles. The whole plant often presents a reddish 

 hue. Jl.— Sept. ^^- Johns-wort. 



2. HYPE'RICUM. 

 Sepals 5, connected at base, sub-equal, leaf-like; petals 5 

 oblique; stamens very nuoierous (sonnetimes few,) united at 

 base into 3 — 5 parcels, with no glands between them; styles 

 3 — 5, distinct or united at base, persistent. 



Herbaceous and shrubby plants, with yellow flowers in cymose panicles or 

 solitary. Leaves punctate with pellucid dots, opposite, entire and without 

 stipules. 



1. H. PYRAMIDA'tUM. Ait. H. ascyroides. W. 

 Floiocrs penlagynous, terminal ; stem branching, somewhat 4-sided ; leaves 



sessile, oblong, acute, smooth ; styles as long as the stamens. A tall species, 

 with large flowers, found on dry hills at Royallon and Burlington, Vt.jJ'ots- 

 dam, N. Y., &c, Stem scarcely 4-sided, smooth, rigid, branching, 3—5 feet 

 high. It is occasionally simple. Leaves opposite, those of the branches small- 

 er^all smooth, sessile or somewhat clasping, acute but not pointed, oblong- 

 ovate. Flowers yellow, as well as those of all the other species. Petals broad- 

 ovate, near an inch in length. Stamens very numerous, hair-like. Capsules 

 very large, ovate, pointed, tipped with the 3 styles. Seeds in 5 cells, very 

 numerous. Jl. Aug. Per. Giant Hypericum. 



2. H. perfora'tum. 



Flowers with 3 styles; stem 2-eAgeA ; Zcapes elliptical, with pellucid dots; 

 segments of the calyx lanceolate. A hardy weed prevailing in pastures and 

 dry soil, much to the annoyance of farmers. Stem from 1 to 2 feet high, brachi- 

 ate, erect, round, with 2 elevated lines, opposite, extending from the insertion 

 of the branches. Leaves opposite, entire, oblong, obtusish, covered over with 

 dots, which may best be seen by transmitted light. Flowers numerous, bright 

 yellow, with purple lines, in terminal panicles. Petals and calyx bordered 

 with fine dark-colored glands. Jn. Jl. Per. Common St. Johns icort. 



3. H. CORYMBO'SUM. 



Flowers with three styles, dotted; stem erect, round, smooth, branching; 

 haves clasping, oblong-oval, obtuse, with black dots; coryumbs terminal, 

 brachiate, dense-flowered ; calyx segments lanceolate. Found in wet meadows 

 and damp woods. Stem 2 feet high, with larger leaves than the common St. 

 John's wort. Flowers small, numerous, pale yellow. The sessile leaves, as 

 well as every other part of the plant, are thickly covered with black dots. Jn. 

 jj Ppj.. Spotted St. Johns wort. 



4. II. Canade'nse. 



Stem, erect and straight, 4- winged ; leaves linear; alternate at the base, rath- 

 er obtuse ; panicle dichotomous ; calyx segments lanceolate ; styles 3, very 

 short; capsule conical. Sandy soils, about a foot high. Stem roundish, with 

 4 prominent lines. Lower branches opposite, the upper pair forked. Flow- 

 ers minute, yellow, axillary and terminal. Capsules red, the narrow leaves 

 of this species are also punctate and naked, marked with black dots beneath. 

 11 Au(T Canadian St. Johns wort. 



