''Hypericum hirsutum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family

Hypericaceae Hypericaceae is a plant family in the order Malpighiales, comprising six to nine genera and up to 700 species, and commonly known as the St. John's wort family. Members are found throughout the world apart from extremely cold or dry habitats. ...

, commonly known as hairy St John's-wort. It is found in Western Europe.

Description

''Hypericum hirsutum'' is a downy perennial plant that grows to two or three feet. It has erect stems and opposite pairs of untoothed, elongated oval leaves with translucent glandular dots. The terminal inflorescences have many pale yellow flowers. Each has five pointed

sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 Etymology The term ''sepalum'' ...

s with stalked black dots on the margins. The five

petal Petals are modified leaves that form an inner whorl surrounding the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly coloured or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corol ...

s also may have black dots and the many

stamen The stamen (: stamina or stamens) is a part consisting of the male reproductive organs of a flower. Collectively, the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filament ...

s are in bundles. Hairy St John's wort is very similar to common St John's wort (''H. perforatum'') but can be distinguished by the downy stems and the much longer leaves.

Phytochemistry

Miquelianin Miquelianin (quercetin 3-''O''-glucuronide) is a flavonol glucuronide, a type of phenolic compound present in wine, in species of St John's wort, like '' Hypericum hirsutum'', in ''Nelumbo nucifera'' (Indian lotus) or in green beans. It is also ...

(Quercetin 3-O-glucuronide), a type of phenolic compound, is present in ''H. hirsutum''.

Distribution

''Hypericum hirsutum'' is a species of temperate regions and grows in Europe and western Siberia. It is uncommon and localised in Finland which is to the north of its European range In Britain it is a widespread species except for the far north and west while it is rare and localised in Ireland being found at only two sites in

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

and with its Irish range centred around

County Dublin County Dublin ( or ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland, and holds its capital city, Dublin. It is located on the island's east coast, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. Until 1994, County Dubli ...

Habitat and ecology

''Hypericum hirsutum'' is a

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

herb which prefers free-draining, neutral to base-rich soils. It grows in open or partially shaded habitats such as rough and ungrazed

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominance (ecology), dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other Herbaceo ...

, clearings and rides in woodland, on the banks of rivers and road verges. In Britain it has an altitudinal range from sea level to in

Cumberland Cumberland ( ) is an area of North West England which was historically a county. The county was bordered by Northumberland to the north-east, County Durham to the east, Westmorland to the south-east, Lancashire to the south, and the Scottish ...

. At the very northern extreme of its range, in south-western Finland it grows in the open, lime rich situations and does not grow in shade.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q159185 hirsutum Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Flora of Europe