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Cedarglade St. Johnswort, Golden St. Johnswort, Shrubby St. Johnswort - Hypericum frondosum


Family: Hypericaceae - St. John's Wort Family Genus Common Name: St. John's Wort Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Shrub Subshrub Leaves:Opposite Leaves:Entire
Hypericum frondosum - Cedarglade St. Johnswort, Golden St. Johnswort, Shrubby St. Johnswort.
Hypericum is a large genus of around 400 species including herbs, shrubs, and trees. Some authorities (including the USDA Plants Database) continue to include the Hypericum genus in the plant family Clusiaceae, but relatively recent molecular studies have resulted in establishment of the Hypericaceae family, for which Hypericum is the type genus, although there are at least two other genera in that new classification. It should be noted that at least one of those, the genus Triadenum, is composed of species that have been classified in Hypericum at one time or another, so perhaps the new family Hypericaceae is comprised of what was the Hypericum genus, which is now further broken down into multiple genera.

St. Johswort has been used medicinally dating back to ancient Greece. It has been used to treat many conditions such as kidney and lung ailments, insomnia, and to aid wound healing, and is currently used as a dietary supplement to combat depression. However, it has been shown to have detrimental effect on other medications being taken, so it should be used with caution.

Hypericum frondosum is generally a more southeastern plant, and is introduced in the disjoint northern part of its published range. Further, reports from SC and VA may be the similar H. prolificum, which has relatively narrower leaves and shorter petals. The common names applied to Hypericum frondosum further help confuse identification - Shrubby St. Johnswort is also applied to H. prolificum, and Golden, Glade, and Cedarglade St. Johswort is applied to both H. frondosum and H. dolabriforme. It grows in dry cedar glades and limestone barrens.

Found in:
AL, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MS, NC, NY, SC, TN, TX, VA
Hypericum frondosum

Distribution of Hypericum frondosum in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area, Rutherford County, TN Date: 2018-June-05Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The flower of Golden St. Johnswort is a golden yellow with up to 650 yellow stamens and 5 large yellow petals. There are 1 to 3 flowers (sometimes more) at the end of the branches, frequently also with flowers at the next lower node on the branch. They are subtended by large leaf-like bracts, giving the plant a very leafy appearance.
Hypericum frondosum

Site: Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area, Rutherford County, TN Date: 2018-June-05Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The showy flowers of Hypericum frondosum are large for St. Johnswort, with the petals up to about an inch long.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Hypericum frondosum

Site: Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area, Rutherford County, TN Date: 2018-June-05Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Hypericum frondosum is a shrub which can grow to almost 10 feet tall. The leaves are relatively broad and oblong to lanceolate-oblong, up to about 2.5 inches long and about an inch wide.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Hypericum frondosum

References used for identification and information:
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Hypericum frondosum initially published on USWildflowers.com 2018-10-05; Updated 2018-10-05

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
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Code Update 20230302