| Photo Information |
Copyright: Tairi Tappo (uduputuk)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 28 W: 24 N: 41]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-s-s.gif) (220) |
| Genre: Plants |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-08 |
| Categories: Flowers |
| Exposure: f/7.1, 1/500 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2006-12-14 8:31 |
| Viewed: 865 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Clusiaceae
Subfamily: Hypericoideae
Tribe: Hypericeae
Genus: Hypericum
Species: H. maculatum (English name: Imperforate St John's Wort; Estonian name: kandiline naistepuna)
Background:
Click for Larger ViewImperforate St. John's wort was recently introduced tothe U.S. from Europe. Imperforate St. John's wort is a rhizomatous perennial, similar to common St. John's wort. Imperforate St. John's wort has stems with 4 raised lines or wings, whereas common St. John's wort stems are 2 lined. Imperforate St. John's wort leaves are larger and more ovate (egg-shaped) or ovate-lanceolate (lance-shaped) with densely reticulate (net-like) venation; while leaves incommon St. John's wort are ovate to linear (long and narrow with parallel sides) with obscurely reticulate venation and with numerous translucent dots. St. John's wort is invasive as well as toxic to livestock.
Description:
A perennial with shoots up to three feet tall arising from a creeping rhizome; stems are square in cross section with 4 raised lines and leaves about 3/4 inch long, without translucent glandular dots or with few large ones in the upper leaves. Flowers are bright yellow with five petals and are about 3/4 inch across. The black dots often visible along the petal margins are glands containing hyericin.
Habitat:
Found in open woodland, grassland, railway, and road embankments.
Distribution:
A common native in Europe; in the Pacific Northwest, it has been confirmed in on ly one area in Bonner County, ID in 2002. (source)
Medicinal Uses:
It has anti-depressant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties.
Internally, it is used in depression, anxiety and pain. The maximum daily dosage is 4 ml of tincture, or 4 grams of dried herb 3 three times a day.
Externally, an oil made by steeping the flowers in olive oil is effective in calming, cleansing and healing wounds and burns, and relieving joint and muscular pain.
NB! It can cause photodermatitis in some sensitive people you are exposed to ultraviolet portion of natural sunlight. It is a good idea to keep the skin covered when outdoors until you are certain that you are not photosensitive. If you are sensitive, exposure to sunlight can cause redness and rashes. You may decide to continue to take St. John's Wort taking care to avoid too much sun.
Other Uses:
It can be used for dyeing wool, silk etc. Its aboveground parts mixed with other substances give red or yellow (sometimes almost black) colour.
This plant also has been used in leather tanning. |
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