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: erect, perennial, 2'-3' tall forb, usually with only a few branches below the inflorescence
Leaves: oblong, blunt, covered with dot-like glands, more than 1/3" wide
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" wide, on short stalks, dotted with amber glands and black lines; inflorescence a small, dense, branched cluster (cyme); blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: 3-chambered capsule
Habitat: moist to dry; woods, forests, openings, edges
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FAC+ Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"