Wavy St John's-wort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Wavy St John's-wort
• Wavy St. John's-Wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hypericum acutum proles undulatum
• Hypericum tetrapterum subsp. undulatum
• Hypericum quadrangulum subsp. undulatum
• Hypericum tetrapterum var. undulatum
• Hypericum quadrangulum var. undulatum
• Hypericum quadrangulum f. undulatum
• Hypericum quadrangulum subsp. undulatum
• Hypericum acutum subsp. undulatum
• Hypericum acutum var. undulatum
• Hypericum maculatum subsp. undulatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under 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 wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving towards Southwestern Europe, the species is found inhabiting the landscapes of France. It also grows throughout the Iberian Peninsula, covering both Portugal and Spain. Finally, its range extends into Northern Africa, where it is documented in Algeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hypericum undulatum is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or surface debris. This developmental habit allows the species to endure seasonal variations and regenerate its vegetative structures annually from these near-surface buds, ensuring its long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum undulatum is characterized by its growth as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit that does not require external structures for climbing. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile with an average height of approximately 0.362 m, though individuals may reach a maximum height of up to 0.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.362 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hypericum undulatum is characterized by its metabolic efficiency and adaptive structural mechanisms, most notably its use of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide directly through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme Rubisco, a process that is highly effective in the temperate and moist environments where the species typically thrives. This metabolic strategy dictates its water-use efficiency and transpiration rates, as the plant relies on open stomata for gas exchange, necessitating a balance between carbon assimilation and moisture retention. Furthermore, its physiological processes include specialized secondary metabolism, involving the synthesis of various bioactive compounds that serve defensive roles against herbivory and environmental stressors. The plant's overall physiological vigor is supported by a robust vascular system and efficient nutrient uptake, which facilitates its growth and the production of its characteristic chemical constituents.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum undulatum is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, which facilitate genetic diversity through biotic pollination. The plant relies on an insect-based pollination syndrome, utilizing biological agents to transfer pollen, and notably, self-fertilization is absent, suggesting a dependence on cross-pollination. The reproductive output is prolific, with each fruit containing a high density of seeds, specifically exceeding 1,000 seeds per fruit. These seeds are remarkably small and lightweight, maintaining a consistent seed mass with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of approximately 3.0e-05 g. Once produced, the seeds are distributed via a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium to transport them to new locations for colonization.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

3e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

3.3e-05 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hypericum undulatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidant Activity, RUTIN, quercetin.

Antioxidant Activity

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

RUTIN

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

quercetin

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Medicinal Uses

Hypericum undulatum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative DNA damage.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations