HYPERICUM VERTICILLA'TUM. 
WHORL-LEAVED ST. JOHN’s WORT. 
Class. Order. 
POLYADELPHIA. POLYANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
HYPERICE^. 
Native of 
Heig'ht. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
C.G.Hope 
9 inches. 
Ano-nst. 
Perennial. 
in 1784. 
No. 630. 
The meaning of the word Hypericum is involved 
in much obscurity. It is supposed to have been 
deduced from the Greek hyper, above; and eikon, 
a likeness, from some fancied power that the plant 
])ossessed over evil spirits. This application of the 
name seems to be the more ])robable from another 
name — Fugademonum, which the ancients used for 
the same plant. 
The Hypericum verticillatum was, it seems, in- 
troduced to Great Britain so long ago as the year 
1784, but was probably lost, and has been lately re- 
introduced. It is a very distinct species, and forms 
a lively ornament when planted near the front of 
the flower border, a situation which it may fairly 
claim, being neither tall nor spreading. 
It has been usual to aflbrd this sutfruticose spe- 
cies some protection in winter, which possibly may 
be unnecessary unless in very severe weather. Those 
who cultivate alpine plants may of course give it 
protection with them. It will grow very freely in 
a mixture of peat, loam, and sand; and may be di- 
vided at the root in spring; or cuttings will strike 
under glass. 
Don’s Syst. Bot. 1, 611. 
