GREATER ST. JOHN’S-WORT
Hypericum ascyron ssp. pyramidatum
ST. JOHNS-WORT FAMILY (Hypericaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - June, July, August
- Rare at both FF and NW - see occurrence section
- Large flowers with 5 bright yellow petals and many yellow stamens
- Clusters of large, cone-shaped seed heads
- Taller plant with much larger flowers, leaves and seed heads than Common St. Johns-wort (Hypericum perforatum)
This native perennial plant grows to 5 feet tall on stout stems bearing lance-shaped leaves up to 5 inches long and arranged opposite on the stem (B). The flower has 5 large, bright yellow petals, each up to an inch or more long (A,B). There are numerous yellow stamens, as well as five styles joined at the base (A). The conical seed heads with the 5 persistent styles projecting from the tip are large and distinctive (C).
This species of St. John’s-wort was planted at two sites on the Fontenelle Forest floodplain prior to the major flooding of 2011-12 and did not survive the flood. A single plant along the trail at the north end of Nebraska Prairie just before it descends into the woodlands has been present there for many years. This plant, presumably planted, is the only known occurrence at Neale Woods. It flowers from June through August.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.