Hypericum prolificum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hypericum spathulatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-PER-ih-kum pro-LIF-ih-kum
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Shrubby St. John's Wort is a herbaceous, perennial, deciduous or evergreen flowering shrub with a compact, dense habit, dark green leaves, and yellow flowers. It is one of around 400 species of Hypericum, which include herbs, shrubs, and trees, with different bloom times and cultural requirements. In nature, it is often found in open woods, bogs, hedge banks and grassland, dry sunny places, and usually on calcareous soils. The genus name comes from the Greek words hyper meaning above and eikon meaning picture in reference to the practice of hanging flowers from this genus above images, pictures or windows. The specific epithet means many or prolific in reference to the many stamens.
Shrubby St. John's Wort will grow in a range of soils from sandy to clay and, while it prefers to stay moist, it will tolerate dry soils. The plant will grow in full sun or partial shade, but full sun will maximize blooms. It is a slow grower and will tolerate drought. It can spread, the root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length, but can be kept under control with spring pruning.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests. However, root rot and wilt can be significant problems in hot and humid climates.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hypericum
- Species:
- prolificum
- Family:
- Hypericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Eastern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits attract birds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Edibility:
- Ingesting St John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of some prescription medicines.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A (2)3-5 celled ovoid 1/2 inch capsule, sometimes fleshy. Displays from July to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Bright yellow flowers in summer on current season's growth; dry capsules persist all winter. Solitary or cymose, terminal or axillary. Yellow (usually) 5-petaled (rarely 4), 5 sepals (rarely 4); stamens numerous, in bundles or in showy boss. Blooms from June to October. 5-petaled flowers with numerous stamens. The upper stems terminate in small clusters of 3-7 flowers; additional clusters of flowers may appear along the 2 upper pairs of opposite leaves. Each flower is ¾ to 1 inch across. The petals are much larger than the sepals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green 3 inch leaves with no appreciable fall color. Opposite or whorled, decussate, simple, entire; sessile or petiole short.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Older bark is exfoliating.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Contains 2 to 4(up to 6) ridges on newer growth, smooth and rounded on older growth. The lower stems are woody with shredded gray-brown bark, while the upper stems are green and slightly winged on opposite sides.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Skin contact with the sap, or ingestion of the plant, can cause photosensitivity in some people. Common side-effects are gastointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions and fatigue.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
