Hypericum maculatum
imperforate St John's-wort
Overview
Hypericum maculatum is an upright herbaceous perennial growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall from a creeping rhizome. The stems are four-angled with four narrow raised lines and bear paired, stalkless oval leaves 0.6-1.2 inches (15-30 mm) long. Unlike H. perforatum, the leaves carry few or no translucent glands, so held to the light they look nearly solid, though scattered black glandular dots mark the leaf margins and petals. Yellow flowers about 0.8 inch (20 mm) across open in branched clusters at the stem tips, each with five petals streaked and dotted in black. The plant grows in damp meadows, ditch margins, stream banks, and open woodland across much of Europe and into western Asia. It spreads slowly by rhizome and self-seeds in open ground. The foliage and flowers contain hypericin and related compounds, which can cause photosensitivity in grazing livestock that eat large quantities. Two subspecies are recognised, differing in stem-wing development and flower spacing. Flowering is followed by small dry capsules that split to release numerous tiny seeds. The species hybridises with H. perforatum where the two grow together, producing intermediate plants.
Native Range
Native across most of Europe, from Britain and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean and east into western Asia. It grows in damp grassland and along watercourses.Suggested Uses
Grown in damp meadow plantings, pond margins, and naturalistic wildflower areas. It suits informal borders with steady moisture. The flowers are used in pollinator plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowers open from June to August in branched terminal clusters. Individual flowers last a few days, with the cluster blooming over several weeks. The yellow flowers are visited by bees and hoverflies for pollen.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow with black dotsFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight