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Hypericaceae

St. John's wort (Hypericum) is a genus of perennial flowering plants belonging to the Hypericaceae family. The most economically significant species is Hypericum perforatum, which is widely cultivated for its medicinal properties, primarily due to active components such as hypericin and hyperforin.

Main sections

Cratoxylum6 Ascyrum2 Harungana1
136 sections

What the section contains

Arnold's St. John's wort Hypericum arnoldianum Ascyrum Ascyrum 2 items Aucher's St. John's wort Hypericum aucheri Balearen St. John's wort Hypericum balearicum Bean's St. John's wort Hypericum beanii Bearded St. John's wort Hypericum barbatum Beautiful St. John's wort Hypericum pulchrum Bedstraw St. John's wort Hypericum galioides Bengal St. John's wort Hypericum benghalense Bog St. John's wort Hypericum anagalloides Brazilian St. John's wort Hypericum brasiliense Burser's St. John's wort Hypericum burseri Canadian St. John's wort Hypericum canadense Canary Island St. John's wort Hypericum canariense Canary Islands St. John's wort Hypericum floribundum Carinthian St. John's wort Hypericum carinthiacum Coris-leaved St. John's wort Hypericum coris Corsican St. John's wort Hypericum corsicum Cratoxylum Cratoxylum 6 items Crowberry-leaved St. John's wort Hypericum empetrifolium Dense-flowered St. John's wort Hypericum densiflorum Desetangs St John's-wort Hypericum desetangsii Dotted St. John's wort Hypericum atomarium Drummond's St. John's wort Hypericum drummondii Dwarf St. John's wort Hypericum mutilum Dwarf St. John's wort Hypericum nanum Dyer's St. John's-wort Hypericum dyeri Eastern St. John's-wort Hypericum orientale Elliptic St. John's wort Hypericum ellipticum Erect St. John's wort Hypericum erectum Felt-leaved St. John's wort Hypericum tomentosum Flax-leaved St. John's-wort Hypericum linariifolium Forrest's St. John's wort Hypericum forrestii Goldencup St. John's wort Hypericum monogynum Goldencup St. John's wort Hypericum patulum Great St. John's wort Hypericum ascyron Greater St. John's wort Hypericum majus Hairy St. John's wort Hypericum hirsutum Hairy St. John's wort Hypericum pubescens Harungana Harungana Lam. 1 item Harungana Harungana Heather-like St. John's wort Hypericum ericoides Hidcote St. John's Wort Hypericum hidcoteense Himalayan St. John's wort Hypericum himalaicum Honeysuckle-leaved St. John's wort Hypericum xylosteifolium Hooker's St. John's wort Hypericum hookerianum Hybrid St. John's wort Hypericum nothum Hypericum Hypericum hybrids Hypericum acmosepalum Hypericum acmosepalum Hypericum aethiopicum Hypericum aethiopicum Hypericum amblycalyx Hypericum amblycalyx Hypericum annulatum Hypericum annulatum Hypericum athoum Hypericum athoum Hypericum attenuatum Hypericum attenuatum Hypericum augustinii Hypericum augustinii Hypericum caprifolium Hypericum caprifolium Hypericum cerastioides Hypericum cerastioides Hypericum corymbosum Hypericum corymbosum Hypericum cuisinii Hypericum cuisinii Hypericum delphicum Hypericum delphicum

Hypericaceae

Originally native to temperate and subtropical regions of Eurasia and North Africa, the plant has now been successfully adapted to cultivation in many parts of the world. Global production is focused on standardized farming to meet the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical industry regarding consistency and concentration of active substances.

Botanically, the plant is characterized by erect stems, opposite leaves with distinct translucent glands, and bright yellow flowers. It features a robust root system that provides structural stability. The crop thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral pH, demonstrating good adaptability to varying environmental conditions.

Agronomic requirements emphasize the need for full sunlight exposure, as shade negatively impacts the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Growers should implement weed control measures and ensure moderate irrigation, preventing waterlogging which can lead to root rot. Propagation is typically achieved through seed germination or vegetative division.

The primary commercial application is the harvesting of the aerial parts during the flowering stage for subsequent drying and processing. The plant is widely used in medicine to treat mild to moderate depression and various inflammatory conditions. Common threats to the crop include the St. John's wort beetle, spider mites, and fungal pathogens like rust or powdery mildew.