Shrubby St. John's-Wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• shrubby St. John's-wort
• broombush
• Shrubby St. Johnswort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myriandra spathulata
• Myriandra ledifolia
• Myriandra prolifica
• Hypericum spathulatum
• Myriandra prolifica var. spathulata
• Brathys prolifica

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. Following its descent through the subclass Magnoliidae and order Malpighiales, it is a member of the family Hypericaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Hypericum as the species Hypericum prolificum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution across several continents. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Germany. Its range extends across North America, specifically spanning the Eastern Canadian province of Ontario. Within the North-Central United States, the species is established in the state of Illinois. Additionally, the plant is commonly documented throughout Iowa and Minnesota.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hypericum prolificum is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it completes its life cycle over multiple years rather than expiring after a single growing season. As a perennial species, it establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive periods of dormancy and re-emerge annually to undergo its reproductive stages. Throughout its lifespan, the plant progresses through distinct phases of vegetative growth, where it accumulates biomass and energy, followed by reproductive phases where it produces flowers and seeds to ensure the continuation of the species. This perennial nature provides the plant with a competitive advantage in its habitat, as it can build resilience and structural complexity over time, allowing for consistent seasonal cycles of growth and reproduction.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum prolificum is characterized by a shrubby growth form, manifesting as a woody plant that maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a vine or liana. It typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 1 m. This species is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, functioning as an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behaviors.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum prolificum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically commences in June and continues through to August, marking the plant's primary reproductive phase. During this time, the plant produces flowers that eventually lead to the development of seeds. The resulting seeds are exceptionally small and uniform in size, with a recorded mean seed mass of 1e-04 g. This consistency is reflected in the seed mass data, as both the minimum and maximum measured seed mass values are also 1e-04 g, indicating a highly standardized seed size for this species.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass mean:

1e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hypericum prolificum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include prolifenone A, prolifenone B, prolificin A.

prolifenone A

1. Journal of natural products

prolifenone B

1. Journal of natural products

prolificin A

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Hypericum prolificum has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective.

Antihypertensive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Diuretic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Hypericum prolificum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Water extracts.

Water extracts

1. Natural product research