HYPERICACE^. 



Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 77. 



HYPERICUM. 



Sepals 5, more or less connected at the base. Petals 5. Sta- 

 mens usually very numerous, united at the base into 3-5 bun- 

 dles, rarely somewhat distinct. Styles 3-5, distinct or rarely 

 combined, persistent. Capsules unilocular, or with several cells, 

 membranaceous, 3-5-valved, many -seeded. Seeds roundish ; 

 seed-coat double : albumen none : embryo with semicylindrical 

 cotyledons. Herbaceous or shrubby plants. Leaves opposite, 

 or very rarely alternate, sessile or nearly so. Flowers either 

 solitary, in threes, cymose, corymbosely panicled, or umbellate, 

 usually yellow. W. and A. 



232. H. perforatum Linn. sp. pi. 1105. E. Sot. t. 295. 

 Fl. Lond. t. 57. Woodv. t. 10. DC. prodr. i. 549. Common 

 in groves and hedges in Europe. 



Root woody, tufted, somewhat creeping. Stem tall, and bushy, in 

 consequence of the length of its axillafy leafy branches ; its form round, 

 with only 2 opposite ribs or angles. The whole herb dark green, with 

 a powerful scent when rubbed, staining the fingers with dark purple, 

 from the great abundance of coloured essential oil, lodged in the herb- 

 age and even in the petals. Leaves very numerous, elliptical or ovate, 

 obtuse, various in width. Flowers bright yellow, dotted and streaked 

 with black or dark purple, numerous, in dense, forked, terminal panicles. 

 Sepals narrow. Styles short, erect. Capsules large, ovate. Leaves 

 astringent j an infusion has been used in gargles and lotions. 



ANDROS^EMUM. 



Sepals rather unequal, reflexed. Petals deciduous, reflexed. 

 Stamens in 5 very short deciduous parcels. Ovary incompletely 

 3-celled, with distinct placentae ; ovules in many rows ; styles 3, 

 distinct ; stigmas minute. Capsule baccate, indehiscent, be - 

 coming brittle and 3-partite; placentae elliptical, somewhat 

 membranous, stipitate. 



233. A. officinale All. ped. n. 1440. DC. prodr. i. 543. 

 Hypericum Androsaemum Linn. sp. pi. 1102. E. Sot. t. 1225. 

 FL Lond. t. 48. Woods in Europe. 



Anundershrub. Branches quadrangular, somewhat compressed. Leaves 

 ovate or cordate, sessile. Panicles terminal, forked, many-flowered, 

 with angular smooth peduncles. Flowers 1 inch wide, yellow. Fruit 

 117 i 3 



