Hypericum ascyron subsp. pyramidatum
Hypericaceae
millepertuis à grandes fleurs
St. John's wort family
internodes 4-lined at first, then 4-angled.
spreading, sessile, amplexicaul;
blade ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate or oblong, 40–85 × 18–37 mm on main stem, smaller distally and on branches, base rounded to cordate, margins plane, apex usually acute to apiculate, sometimes obtuse, midrib with 4–7 pairs of branches, tertiary veins densely reticulate toward margins.
opposite [alternate or whorled], simple, estipulate, sessile, subsessile, pseudopetiolate, or petiolate;
blade with pellucid glands and/or canals containing essential oils, margins entire [rarely gland-fringed], surfaces with black, reddish, or amber glands containing hypericin and pseudohypericin.
cylindric to narrowly pyramidal, 1–35-flowered.
terminal or axillary, cymose [thyrsoid] or solitary flowers.
sepals ovate to lanceolate or oblong-elliptic, subequal or equal, 8–13 × 4–8 mm, apex acute to acuminate;
petals golden yellow, sometimes red-tinged, narrowly obovate to oblanceolate-falcate, 25–40 mm;
styles (4–)5, 3–7 mm.
homostylous [heterostylous];
sepals persistent or deciduous, (3–)4–5, glanduliferous like leaves;
petals persistent or deciduous, 3–5[–6], distinct, imbricate or contorted [decussate], orange, pink, or yellow, [white, red], sometimes green- or red-tinged, [sometimes with adaxial scale], glanduliferous;
stamens persistent or deciduous, in 2 whorls, sometimes in fascicles, sometimes reduced to staminodes;
filaments distinct or ± connate;
anthers 2-locular, dehiscing longitudinally;
ovary superior, 2–5-merous;
placentation axile to parietal;
ovules 1–2+ on each placenta, anatropous;
styles 2–5, distinct or basally [to completely] connate, elongate;
stigmas minute or ± expanded.
capsular [baccate], dehiscence septicidal from apex [loculicidal].
ovoid, 12–20(–30) × 10–13 mm.
1.5 mm, narrowly winged;
testa shallowly linear-reticulate.
sometimes carinate [winged or carunculate];
endosperm absent;
embryo straight [curved];
cotyledons 25–40% of total embryo length.
Hypericum ascyron subsp. pyramidatum
Hypericaceae
The American populations of Hypericum ascyron sometimes have been treated as distinct from those of eastern Asia, usually as H. pyramidatum. These populations can be distinguished by the combination of relatively broad leaves, acute sepals, and, usually, almost distinct styles; they are better treated as subsp. pyramidatum (see N. K. B. Robson 2001). The scattered American distribution of Hypericum ascyron, which seems to coincide well with earlier Native American campsites, led W. G. Dore (in herbarium notes) to suggest that it was distributed by aborigines for an as yet unknown reason (see J. M. Gillett and N. K. B. Robson 1981).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Genera 9, species 700+ (2 genera, 58 species in the flora).
Hypericaceae flowers are always bisexual, the anther and all or part of the filament remain distinct, the cotyledons are distinct and usually 25–40% of the length of the embryo, and specialization has resulted in heterostyly. In the Calophyllaceae, the anthers and filament are distinct, the cotyledons usually form most of the embryo and may be completely connate, and specialization has resulted in dioecism. In the Clusiaceae, which are also largely dioecious, distinct anthers are often lacking, the stamens having become more or less connate in masses around the ovary, and the cotyledons are minute or absent.
The dark red compounds hypericin and pseudohypericin, naphtho-dianthrone derivatives that are widespread in the Hypericaceae, are contained within black or red gland-dots or -lines in various parts of the plant. These compounds are photosensitizing and lead to eruptions on muzzles of grazing animals. This phenomenon is especially troublesome in dry regions where
alternative fodder may be scarce, for example, California, Iraq, Australia, and South Africa. Hypericum perforatum, which is native in Iraq and introduced in the other three regions, is the main source of trouble. Reports from Ontario indicate that field workers have experienced severe reaction over prolonged exposure to H. perforatum. Hypericum perforatum is also used privately (but not prescribed) as source of an antidepressant; the relevant active ingredients for this treatment are unknown (S. L. Crockett 2003).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Herbs, subshrubs, or shrubs; petals yellow to orange, sometimes red-tinged; stamens (5–)10–300(–650), in continuous or interrupted ring or in (3–)4–5 fascicles; filaments distinct or basally connate, staminode fascicles 0. | Hypericum |
1. Herbs; petals pink or flesh-colored, sometimes green-tinged; stamens 9, in 3 fascicles; filaments 1/5–1/2+ connate, staminode fascicles 3, alternating with stamen fascicles. | Triadenum |
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