Yellow St John’s wort flowers

Hypericum species come in all shapes and sizes but the flowers are all yellow. The herb which is said to improve mood is Hypericum perforatum.

Perforate St John’s wort

This common wildflower grows up to about 90cm and has translucent dots on the leaves and black dots on the petal edges, with flowers 2 to 3cm across. I have spotted it in the last few years on the Crab and Winkle Way in Kent and along the river Stour, both just outside Canterbury in June, and in open ground in the Last Meadow in Seaford in September.

Perforate St John's wort Hypericum perforatum detail — Perforate St John’s wort – *Hypericum perforatum* – detail from the above image, showing petal markings, and leaf dots (just seen in centre of pic)

The petal markings can be seen better in these photos I took on Seaford Head in August where it was growing on an exposed site in short grass. The markings are most visible on the bud top left.

Perforate St Johns Wort bud Hypericum perforatum Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Bud of Perforate St Johns Wort *Hypericum perforatum* Seaford Head Aug 2021

Perforate St Johns Wort flowers Hypericum perforatum Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Perforate St Johns Wort flowers – *Hypericum perforatum* – Seaford Head – Aug 2021

The image below shows the perforated leaves well.

Perforate St Johns Wort leaf Hypericum perforatum Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Leaf of Perforate St Johns Wort – *Hypericum perforatum* – Seaford Head – Aug 2021

Perforate St Johns Wort leaves Hypericum perforatum Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Perforate St Johns Wort leaves – *Hypericum perforatum* Seaford Head – Aug 2021

Hairy St Johns wort

The Hypericum hirsutum I spotted was smaller and more delicate looking. It was growing by the side of a path through woods on the Crab and Winkle Way in Kent . The leaves of this plant are more elongated than perforate St John’s wort. The second image shows the hairy stem and stalked black dots on sepals.

Hairy St John's wort Hypericum hirsutum detail — Hairy St John’s wort – *Hypericum hirsutum* – detail of same plant as above, showing dots on sepals and hairy stems

Under consideration

This yellow flower is clearly related but it was growing deep in Guestling Wood and had long slender trailing stems.

St Johns Wort flower Hypericum Guestling Wood Sussex Jul 2021 — St Johns Wort – *Hypericum* – Guestling Wood Sussex – Jul 2021

St Johns Wort habit Hypericum Guestling Wood Sussex Jul 2021 — St Johns Wort habit – *Hypericum* – Guestling Wood Sussex – Jul 2021

St Johns Wort leaves Hypericum Guestling Wood Sussex Jul 2021 — Leaves of St Johns Wort – *Hypericum –* Guestling Wood Sussex – Jul 2021

Also under consideration

This Hypericum in Seaford Last Meadow seemed bigger and lusher looking than the perforatum nearby, although I didn’t think to stop and check at the time.

Hypericum Last Meadow Seaford Aug 2021 — Tbc *Hypericum* – Last Meadow Seaford – Aug 2021

Here are a few more Hypericums.

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