Downy St John's-wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Downy St John's-wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hypericum pestalozzae
• Hypericum millepunctatum
• Hypericum scabrellum
• Hypericum lanuginosum subsp. gracile
• Hypericum lanuginosum var. gracile
• Hypericum lanuginosum subsp. millepunctatum
• Hypericum lanuginosum var. pestalozzae
• Hypericum lanuginosum var. scabrellum
• Hypericum gracile

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 into the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Hypericum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated primarily within the Western Asia region. Its presence can be documented across the diverse landscapes of Türkiye and Cyprus. Additionally, it is found inhabiting the territories of Lebanon and Syria. The species also extends its range into the area of Palestine. Finally, its distribution reaches the Sinai Peninsula, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum lanuginosum is characterized by a growth form that ranges from a low-growing subshrub to a more established shrub. It possesses a woody structure, exhibiting distinct woodiness in its stem development. This plant is non-parasitic, functioning as an independent organism within its ecosystem. In terms of its habitat and moisture requirements, it is classified as a terrestrial species, though it can inhabit environments spanning the spectrum of aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial conditions.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum lanuginosum involves the production of specialized seeds that exhibit specific mass characteristics essential to its dispersal and germination processes. The seed mass within this species is notably minute, with an average weight (mean) of 5.5e-05 g. The variation in individual seed size is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum mass of 4e-05 g to a maximum mass of 7e-05 g. These precise measurements indicate a reproductive strategy focused on the production of numerous, lightweight seeds, which facilitates efficient distribution within its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

7e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

5.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hypericum lanuginosum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Hypericum lanuginosum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Hypericum lanuginosum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, breast cancer, cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Most Reported Uses