Etymology: Hypericum: ancient Greek name derived from hyper, "above," and eikon, "picture," from old practice of placing flowers above an image in the house to ward off evil spirits at the midsummer festival of Walpurgisnacht, which later became feast of St. John
Plants: creeping, perennial, 2'-3' tall forb usually unbranched to the flowering clusters
Leaves: stalkless, not curving backward, elliptical
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" wide; inflorescence a branched cluster (cyme) of stalked flowers; blooms June-Sept.
Fruits: oval capsule
Habitat: wetlands, shores
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 9, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos