GREATER ST. JOHN
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GREATER ST. JOHN’S-WORT

Hypericum ascyron ssp. pyramidatum
ST. JOHNS-WORT FAMILY (Hypericaceae)

Identification

  • Flowering time - June, July, August
  • Uncommon in some NW prairies
  • Large flowers with 5 bright yellow petals and many yellow stamens
  • Clusters of large, cone-shaped seed heads
  • GREATER ST. JOHN
  • GREATER ST. JOHN
  • GREATER ST. JOHN
  • GREATER ST. JOHN
  • GREATER ST. JOHN
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This native perennial plant grows to 5 feet tall on stout stems (B). Lance-shaped leaves up to 5 inches long have smooth margins and are arranged opposite on the stem (C,E). The flower has 5 large, bright yellow petals, each up to an inch or more long (A,C). The numerous long yellow stamens (A,D) are arranged in bundles of 5 stamens and five styles which are joined at the base. The conical seed heads with the 5 persistent styles projecting from the tip are large and distinctive (F).

 

 

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 but did not survive the flood.  For a number of years there was just a single plant along the trail at the north end of Nebraska Prairie. Presumably, it is the parent of the now sizable populations in Nebraska Prairie and lower Jonas Valley.  Flowering occurs 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.