Hypericum pulchrum

Hypericum pulchrum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Hypericaceae
Genus:	Hypericum
Species:	H. pulchrum
Binomial name
Hypericum pulchrum L.

Hypericum pulchrum is a flowering plant in the genus Hypericum, commonly known as slender St John's wort. It is native to Western Europe.

Description

H. pulchrum is a dainty, rhizomatous perennial plant growing nine to eighteen inches high. It has erect smooth stems without ridges or wings. It has a few opposite pairs of untoothed, heart-shaped leaves that half clasp the stem. They are dotted with transparent spots and often have inrolled margins. The terminal inflorescence has rich yellow flowers. Each of these has five small, broad, blunt sepals with black dots on the margins. The five petals are red beneath and have red and black dots on the margins. There are three styles and many stamens with orange anthers in three bundles. The fruit is a dehiscent capsule.^[1][2]

Habitat

H. pulchrum is found in heathy places, dry moorlands, among rocks in upland regions and on road verges.^[2][3]

Distribution

H. pulchrum is found growing in Austria, Belgium, Britain, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.^[4] It is found in suitable habitats throughout the United Kingdom.^[3] It has been introduced to New Zealand where it has spread across South Island and the southern part of North Island.^[5]

References