hairy St. John's-wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hairy St. John's-wort
• Hairy St John's-wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hypericopsis hirsuta
• Hypericum hirsutum f. calvescens
• Hypericum hirsutum var. congestum
• Hypericum hirsutum var. fimbriatum
• Hypericum hirsutum var. majus
• Hypericum hirsutum var. pseudomontanum
• Hypericum atomarium var. angustifolium
• Adenosepalum hirsutum
• Hypericum montanum f. congestum
• Hypericum montanum f. minus
• Hypericum montanum var. pilosum
• Hypericum villosum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Hypericum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Hypericum hirsutum, exhibits a specific distribution across several Northern European territories. Its presence can be documented within the coastal and inland regions of Denmark. Furthermore, it is found growing in the natural landscapes of Finland. The species also extends its range to include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical reach encompasses the rugged terrains of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hypericum hirsutum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varied topographical settings. It exhibits a broad distribution across multiple landscape types, thriving in environments ranging from fertile crop fields, meadows, and shrubberies to more rugged terrains such as mountains, stony places, and steppes. The species is also capable of colonizing moisture-influenced areas near rivers as well as specialized niches like saline places and forest understories. In terms of altitudinal distribution, this plant demonstrates significant vertical range, occupying habitats from lowlands up to an elevation of 2800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, forest, meadows, mountains, rivers, saline places, shrubberies, steppe, stony places

Life history

The life history of Hypericum hirsutum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennable buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its seasonal cycles. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and a hemicryptophytic life form enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche while adapting to seasonal shifts in temperature and moisture.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum hirsutum is characterized by a growth form consisting of a non-woody herb or forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, as it is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. The plant typically exhibits a height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.575 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.575 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hypericum hirsutum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 3.705 cm², a morphological trait that influences its light interception and gas exchange capabilities. Furthermore, it possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 272 cm²/g, reflecting the structural relationship between its leaf area and dry mass, which is indicative of its resource allocation strategies. In terms of nutritional acquisition, the species is classified as non-carnivorous, relying solely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

3.705 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

272 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum hirsutum is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically occurs during the summer months, specifically starting in July and concluding in August. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, it relies heavily on these insect vectors for successful reproduction. Following fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule, which is characterized by being dehiscence, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The resulting seeds are remarkably small, with a minimum mass of 7e-05 g, a mean mass of 0.0001299 g, and a maximum mass of 9.8e-05 g. These seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind to spread throughout the environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

9.8e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0001299 g

Seed mass min:

7e-05 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hypericum hirsutum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

Chemicals

Hypericum hirsutum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amentoflavone, Hyperoside, RUTIN, hypericin, luteolin.

Amentoflavone

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

Hyperoside

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

RUTIN

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

hypericin

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

luteolin

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

quercetin

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

quercitrin

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

Activities

Hypericum hirsutum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory.

Antiinflammatory

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Hypericum hirsutum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations