Alpine St John's-wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Alpine St John's-wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Hypericum richeri, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Hypericaceae and falls under the genus Hypericum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is well-documented within the borders of Germany and Switzerland. Moving toward the western regions, it can also be found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically in France and Spain. Its distribution extends further east into Southeast Europe, where it is located in Albania. Collectively, these locations highlight a broad geographical spread across various European landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hypericum richeri is defined by its preference for diverse montane environments, where it thrives within forest ecosystems, open meadows, and rugged mountain landscapes. This species is specifically adapted to higher altitudes, occupying an elevational range that reaches a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. Its ability to inhabit both the sheltered understories of forests and the more exposed, sunlit conditions of mountain meadows allows it to integrate into various successional stages of high-altitude habitats.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Hypericum richeri is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a hemicryptophyte, its regenerative buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable environmental periods. This life form allows the species to endure seasonal shifts by maintaining dormant buds at the ground level, ensuring its continued presence and ability to re-emerge once conditions become favorable for growth.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum richeri is characterized by its herbaceous growth form, presenting as a non-woody plant. It functions as a self-supporting species rather than a climber and maintains a terrestrial habit. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum richeri is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that facilitates its pollination and subsequent seed production. The plant enters its reproductive phase with the onset of flowering in June, marking the beginning of its blooming period. This flowering stage continues through the peak of the summer months, eventually concluding in July. This relatively concentrated window of flowering suggests a specialized period of biological activity aimed at ensuring successful fertilization within these specific monthly parameters.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hypericum richeri has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include I3,II8-biapigenin, quercetin, 3-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, MYRICETIN 3-O-GLUCOSIDE.

I3,II8-biapigenin

1. Natural product research
2. Natural product communications

quercetin

1. Natural product research
2. Natural product communications

3-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Natural product research

5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Natural product research

MYRICETIN 3-O-GLUCOSIDE

1. Natural product research

Myricetin 3-O-galactoside

1. Natural product research

Myricetin-3-O-rutinoside

1. Natural product research

hypericin

1. Natural product research

pseudohypericin

1. Natural product research

Activities

Hypericum richeri has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Gastroprotective.

Gastroprotective

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Preparations