GOLD FLOWER 



Stamens. — Many, in tufted clusters, with yellow filaments and reddish 

 anthers. 



Ovary. — Five-lobed; styles and stigmas five. 



Capsule. — Many-seeded. 



Hypericum moserianum is the product of the union of Hypericum 

 pdtulum, a tall evergreen shrub from Japan, and Hypericum 

 calyclnum, a dwarf evergreen from the western shore of the British 

 Isles, though found elsewhere. It greatly resembles the latter, 

 which, because of the size of its flowers, has the popular name of 

 Terrestrial Sun. The parental name would not be inappropriate 

 for the offspring, as its slender leafy stems are crowned with very 

 gorgeous golden-yellow cups made still more effective by their 

 wealth of yellow stamens and reddish anthers. This wealth of 

 stamens is the endowment and the charm of the entire St. John's- 

 wort race. 



It is believed that in the ancient Druidical worship some use 

 was made of the golden blossom of St. John's-wort, probably to 

 symboHze the sun ; certain it is that both in England and in Ger- 

 many the coimtry people were formerly in the habit of gathering 

 the local species on Midsummer Day and hanging it about their 

 houses as protection against witchcraft and evil spirits. Mid- 

 summer Day is sacred to St. John the Apostle, and the plant 

 most sought on that day became St. John's flower. 



297 



