St. John’s Wort – Botanical Profile

St. John’s Wort 

Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericaceae Family

Distribution and Habitat

Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort) is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Today, it is widely naturalized in many other parts of the world, including North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. It typically grows in sunny, open habitats such as meadows, roadsides, grasslands, and disturbed soils.

The name “St. John’s wort” comes from its association with St. John the Baptist. The plant typically blooms around June 24th, which is celebrated as St. John’s Day in the Christian calendar. Because of this timing, the plant became closely linked to the saint. The word “wort” is an old English term meaning “plant” or “herb.”

The genus name Hypericum comes from the Greek words hyper (“above”) and eikon (“image”).
It refers to the ancient practice of hanging the plant above religious images or doorways to ward off evil spirits. The species name perforatum means “perforated.” This describes the plant’s leaves, which appear to have tiny holes when held up to the light (these are actually oil glands).

Botanical and Morphological Description

• Root: Taproot with lateral branches
• Stem: Erect, branched, with two longitudinal ridges
• Leaves: Opposite, sessile, elliptic; translucent glands (appear perforated)
• Inflorescences: Cymes, with bright yellow flowers, with 5 petals with black glandular dots, numerous stamens, arranged in bundles, superior ovary
• Fruit: Capsule with many seeds