Chinese St. John's wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese St. John's wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ascyrum monogynum
• Hypericum aureum
• Hypericum chinense subsp. obtusifolium
• Hypericum chinense subsp. salicifolium
• Hypericum chinense var. salicifolium
• Hypericum chinense subsp. latifolium
• Hypericum monogynum var. salicifolium
• Hypericum salicifolium
• Norysca aurea
• Norysca chinensis var. salicifolia
• Norysca salicifolia
• Norysca punctata
• Komana salicifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is situated in the family Hypericaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hypericum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across different regions of Asia and the Indian Ocean. In the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is specifically noted in the islands of Mauritius and Réunion. Moving toward East Asia, the species is widely distributed throughout various parts of China. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast regions. Consequently, its range covers a vast area stretching from tropical islands to diverse Chinese provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hypericum monogynum is defined by its preference for low-lying landscapes, as evidenced by its specific altitudinal distribution. This species is primarily found at sea level, with an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 0 m AMSL. It thrives in lowland environments, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 75 m AMSL, and reaches its maximum recorded elevation at 150 m AMSL. This narrow vertical distribution suggests that the plant is specialized for coastal or near-coastal lowland habitats, likely requiring the specific humidity and temperature profiles associated with low-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

150 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

75 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hypericum monogynum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes repeated seasonal growth cycles. As a perennial species, it establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive through varying environmental conditions, often regenerating from its base or via seed dispersal to maintain its population within a habitat. Throughout its life cycle, the plant progresses through vegetative growth phases where it accumulates energy, followed by reproductive stages marked by the development of flowers and subsequent seed production. This perennial nature ensures long-term persistence in its ecological niche, allowing the plant to endure periods of dormancy or stress before returning to active growth in favorable seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum monogynum is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily functioning as a shrub or subshrub. This plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that does not exhibit climbing, vine, or liana habits, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.3 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hypericum monogynum is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and metabolic processes. The leaf dimensions exhibit a broad range, with leaf lengths varying from a minimum of 2 cm to a mean value of 6.6 cm, reaching a maximum extent of 11.2 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 4.1 cm. These anatomical parameters suggest a highly adaptable growth habit, where the leaf surface area can be optimized to facilitate gas exchange and light interception according to environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

11.2 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.6 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

4.1 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum monogynum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its floral and fruit structures. The flowering stage produces blossoms with a variable length, ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 6.5 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit that exhibits distinct size variations; the fruit length typically averages 0.8 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows moderate variation, maintaining a mean width of 0.55 cm, while individual fruit widths fluctuate between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 0.7 cm.

Flower length max:

6.5 cm

Flower length min:

3 cm

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hypericum monogynum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, root.

Flower

1. Horticulture research
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. The Journal of organic chemistry
4. Organic letters

Leaf

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Organic & biomolecular chemistry
3. Fitoterapia

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Hypericum monogynum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chipericumin D, Compound 3, FLAVONE, Hyperielliptone HA, Hyperoside.

Chipericumin D

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Compound 3

1. Organic letters

FLAVONE

1. Fitoterapia

Hyperielliptone HA

1. The Journal of organic chemistry

Hyperoside

1. Horticulture research

PPAPS

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

furohyperforin

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Activities

Hypericum monogynum has 2 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Neuroprotective.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of medicinal food

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Hypericum monogynum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include MCF-7 cells, insulin resistance.

Mcf-7 cells

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Insulin resistance

1. Journal of medicinal food

Preparations

Hypericum monogynum has 1 reported preparations identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots.

Roots

1. Journal of natural products