Habitat and Range
St. John's Wort typically grows in moist meadows below 7500 ft. There are mainly three different species growing in the Sierra that all occur at different elevations. The Tinker's Penny (H. anagalloides) grows from 4000 ft to 10,000 ft strictly in wet places. Klamath Weed (H. perforatum) grows north of Tuolumne County below 4500 ft. Finally, Scouler's St. John's Wort (H. formosum) grows between 3000 ft and 7500 ft.
Physical Description
St. John's Wort (Hypericum spp) can be distinguished by its glabrous (smooth) and entire leaves that grow opposite on the stem. They have several veins that run parallel from the leaf-base. The leaves are sessile and elliptical and often have black spots underneath. The erect growing species are differentiated by the number of flowers per stem and presence of black spots on the leaf. H. formosum has 3-25 flowers per stem and black spots on the leaf margin whereas H. perforatum has 25-100 flowers per stem and usually no black spots. The Tinker's Penny is decumbent (a ground-hugging plant that rises at the tip) and roots at leaf nodes.
Food Uses
This plant is NOT considered edible because of its photosensitive toxins.
Medicinal Uses
St. John's Wort has been used by herbalists for infections of the nervous system and as a treatment for chronic depression. This plant contains hypericin (a chemical that has strong effects against retroviruses) is being scrutinized as a potential medication for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
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