ST. JOHN'S WORT FAMILY 



HYPERICACE^: ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY 



Hyperieum virginicum, L. 

 Pinkish-flesh colour Marsh St. John'&wart. 



July-August 



Hyperieum: for derivation see bcreale. 

 Virginicum: Latin for Virginian. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: swamps. 



THE PLANT: erect; one foot to two feet high; the stem 

 branched or simple. 



THE LEAVES: opposite; ovate, tending to oblong; with 

 slight bloom on the under surface; rounded at the apex; 

 slightly heart-shaped at the base; stemless or clasping by 

 broad base; entire; sepia-dotted. 



THE FLOWERS: in small terminal clusters with orange 

 glands separating the three groups of golden-yellow sta- 

 mens; five petals; five sepals. 



THE FRUIT: a capsule, more or less magenta-coloured. 



The flowers and leaves and stems of this St. John's-wort 

 form a harmonious whole. Gracefulness of form and 

 beautiful variations of colour from pale flesh tints of 

 flowers, and light green to deep red tones of stems and 

 leaves characterize. Seldom are the stem and all the leaves 

 green and in the fall low masses cf red colour the swamps. 



Unfortunately, like so many swamp flowers, the plants 

 droop almost immediately after being picked and seldom 

 revive even in warm water. 



Four other members of the St. John's-wort Family have 



been reported. 



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