hypericace^e. 213 



Plate 92, 93. 

 HYPERICUM, Tourn., L. 



Sepala 5. Petala 5, inaequilatera, aestivatione convoluta. 

 Glandulae inter stamina indefinita rariusve pauca nullae. 

 Capsula 1 — 5-locularis. — Flores flavi. 



Hypericum, Lam. Ill t. 643. Giertn. Fr. t. 62. Torr. & Gray, Fl. N. 



Am. I. p. 157. Endl. Gen. 5464. 

 Hypericum, Ascyrum, & Androsjemum, Tourn. Inst. &c. 

 Hypericum & Sarothra, Linn. Gen. 383, 902. excl. spec. 



St. Jolin's-wort. 



Calyx herbaceous or foliaceous, persistent ; the sepals 5, 

 equal or somewhat unequal, imbricated in aestivation, two of 

 them exterior (and often rather larger), and two interior, 

 distinct, or united at the base. Petals 5, hypogynous, 

 alternate with the sepals, convolute in aestivation, usually 

 oblique or unequal -sided, naked, deciduous or marcescent. 

 Stamens indefinite, very numerous, or sometimes few, 

 hypogynous, commonly 3 — 5-adelphous at the base or 

 more or less distinctly collected in as many clusters : 

 filaments capillary, marcescent : anthers globular, didy- 

 mous, introrse ; the cells opening longitudinally. Hypogy- 

 nous glands none. Ovary of 3 or 5 united carpels (which 

 are opposite the sepals when of equal number), one-celled, 

 with three or five strictly parietal or introflexed placentae, or 

 3 - 5-celled by the junction and cohesion of the placentae in 

 the axis : styles 3 or 5, filiform, distinct, or united below, 

 sometimes united to the apex, but separable in fruit, persist- 

 ent : stigmas usually capitate. Ovules indefinite, in two or 

 several series on each placenta, horizontal, anatropous. 



Capsule like the ovary one-celled with projecting or 

 strictly parietal placentae, or 3 - 5-celled by the junction of 

 the placentae in the axis, septicidally 3 - 5-valved ; the pla- 

 centae adhering to the inflexed edges of the valves, or often 



