African St Johns Wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African St Johns Wort
• St John's Wort
• small Hypericum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, it is placed in the genus Hypericum as the species Hypericum aethiopicum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. Within South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Angola, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Its range also extends into the Southern African region, specifically covering the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hypericum aethiopicum is defined by its remarkable adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to occupy a broad spectrum of montane and sub-montane landscapes. This species exhibits a wide elevational range, colonizing environments from as low as 5 m AMSL to heights reaching a maximum of 2408 m AMSL. This extensive vertical distribution suggests a high degree of tolerance to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability across different topographical zones. By thriving across such a significant span of elevation, the plant is capable of integrating into a variety of ecological niches, ranging from lowland humid habitats to higher-altitude ecosystems characterized by more temperate or montane conditions.

Elevational range max:

2408 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hypericum aethiopicum is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its existence and biological functions over multiple years rather than completing its life cycle in a single growing season. As a perennial, the plant establishes a persistent root system or woody base that allows it to survive through various seasonal changes, enabling it to regrow and flower repeatedly during successive growing periods. This long-term life strategy facilitates its establishment in its natural habitats, where it can undergo repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive development.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum aethiopicum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, presenting as both a herb and a forb. This plant exhibits a self-supporting structure and does not function as a climber, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. In terms of its habitat and ecological positioning, it is classified as a terrestrial species, though it can exist within aquatic and semiaquatic environments. The plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum aethiopicum is characterized by the production of minute seeds that exhibit specific mass variations within the population. The seed mass for this species is notably small, with a calculated mean mass of 0.000265 g. Throughout the reproductive cycle, the individual seed weights fluctuate within a narrow range, reaching a maximum recorded mass of 0.00031 g and a minimum recorded mass of 0.00022 g. These quantitative traits highlight the fine scale of its dispersal units, reflecting the biological investment per seed during the reproductive process.

Seed mass max:

0.00031 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000265 g

Seed mass min:

0.00022 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hypericum aethiopicum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Leaf

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Chemicals

Hypericum aethiopicum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Tannins

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hypericum aethiopicum has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Gardnerella vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, skin diseases, wound healing.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations