ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY. 



HYPERICACE^. 



Large St. John's- Wort. Hypericum perforatum. 



Common St. John's-Wort. 



Found from June to September, in broad sunlight or in shade, 

 growing in dry or moist soil. 



The branching, leafy stalk, 1 or 2 feet high, rather slender and 

 smooth, is green in color. 



The leaves are usually oblong, with a tapering point, but do not 

 rigorously conform to any model ; with entire margins and a thin 

 texture, which if held to the light is seen to be perforated by tiny 

 punctures. The color is a full green, and they are set on the stalk in 

 pairs, the pairs being placed at right angles to each other. 



The flower is sometimes f of an inch in width, but more often 

 smaller ; the 5 petals are finely notched at the tip and along one side, 

 their color is a strong yellow turning in maturity to tawny ; the calyx 

 is 5-parted and a light yellow-green modulating between the petal and 

 leaf colors ; the many yellow stamens radiate from the center. The 

 flowers are set in leafy terminal groups. 



This cheery neighbor to the Daisy and Yarrow, though spruce and 

 pretty when freshly adorned with bloom, is, it must be confessed, a sad 

 slattern, for it does not shed its withered petals but holds them, ragged 

 and unkempt, among the newly opened flowers during the long season 

 of its blossoming. The yellow of the unopened bud is of a noticeably 

 fine quality. 



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