Hypericum sampsonii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hypericum oshimaense
• Hypericum esquirolii
• Hypericum electrocarpum
• Hypericum electrocarpum f. parvifolium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Hypericum sampsonii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Ultimately, it is classified under the genus Hypericum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several distinct regions within East Asia. In China, its range extends through the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Beyond the Chinese mainland, it can also be found growing in Japan. Additionally, the species is documented to exist within the island of Taiwan. Together, these locations highlight a broad geographical presence throughout the eastern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hypericum sampsonii is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat, spanning a wide vertical gradient. This species is found at elevations ranging from sea level up to a maximum of 1200 m AMSL, indicating a versatile ability to adapt to both lowland and mid-altitude environments. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 600 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests it occupies a transitional ecological niche between coastal lowlands and more elevated terrain. This elevational range plays a critical role in defining the environmental parameters, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability, that shape its distribution and growth patterns.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hypericum sampsonii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant focuses its energy on establishing robust root systems and woody or semi-woody structures that facilitate long-term survival and regrowth. This lifecycle enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations, often entering periods of dormancy before re-emerging to repeat its reproductive phases. Through successive years, the plant undergoes cycles of vegetative growth and flowering, contributing to its ability to maintain a stable presence within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum sampsonii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, appearing specifically as a herbaceous plant. It is a self-supporting species that does not require external structures for climbing. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.5 m, though individual specimens vary in size, ranging from a minimum height of 0.2 m to a maximum height of 0.8 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hypericum sampsonii is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its foliage, which serve as key indicators of its vegetative development. The leaf dimensions exhibit a significant range, with mean lengths measuring approximately 4.75 cm, though individual specimens can vary from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum length of 7 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variability is the leaf width, which fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm. These specific dimensional parameters suggest a dynamic growth pattern that allows the plant to optimize its surface area for physiological processes such as photosynthesis and transpiration within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.75 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum sampsonii is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its floral and fruiting structures. The flowers typically exhibit a length ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that vary in size, with an average length of 0.7 cm (ranging from 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm) and an average width of 0.45 cm (varying between 0.4 cm and 0.5 cm). The resulting seeds are extremely minute, maintaining a highly consistent mass of 0.00015 g, with no variation recorded between the minimum, mean, and maximum values.

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.00015 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hypericum sampsonii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Hypericum sampsonii has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 7-epiclusianone, Anthocyanins, Anthraquinones, Compound 1.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

7-epiclusianone

1. Journal of natural products

Anthocyanins

1. Food chemistry

Anthraquinones

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Compound 1

1. Organic letters

PPAPS

1. Organic letters

Plukenetione C

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Sampsonione I

1. Organic letters

Sampsonione J

1. Organic letters

Activities

Hypericum sampsonii has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anticancer.

Cytotoxic

1. Organic letters
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hypericum sampsonii has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include burns, arthritis, backache, cancer, contusion.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations