Hypericum species - St John's-wort family

Hypericum pulchrum - Slender St John's-wort

Hypericum maculatum - Imperforate St John's-wort

Hypericum hirsutum - Hairy St John's-wort

Hypericum humifusum - Trailing St John's-wort

Hypericum tetrapterum - Square-stalked St John's-wort

Hypericum maculatum x perforatum = H. x desetangsii - Des Etangs' St John's-wort

Hypericum perforatum - Perforate St John's-wort

Hypericum androsaemum - Tutsan

This is member of the St John-wort family. It is in urban woodlands. In the spring the bright green leaves and bud are striking to be replaced by the bright yellow flowers with many stamens. The fruit is a bright red berry.

Even though it is native, it is likely that many are garden escapes. It is spread by birds who value the berries.

The leaves are born on the two edged reddish stems and have a pleasant smell especially when dry. It has been described as evocative of cigar boxes and candied fruit. The leaves were favoured as book marks especially in bibles in the West Country where it was known as Bible Leaf.

The name tutsan is from the French toute-saine meaning “all-heal”.

Hypericum androsaemum x hircinum = H. x inodorum - Tall Tutsan

There is further information about H. maculatum, sub-species and hybrids can be found here.

Hypericum tetrapterum - Square-stalked St John’s-wort