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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

St. John's wort8 Psorospermum3
136 sections

What the section contains

Hypericum dummeri Hypericum dummeri Hypericum elegans Hypericum elegans Hypericum elodeoides Hypericum elodeoides Hypericum fauriei Hypericum fauriei Hypericum foliosum Hypericum foliosum Hypericum fragile Hypericum fragile Hypericum glandulosum Hypericum glandulosum Hypericum gracilipes Hypericum gracilipes Hypericum gramineum Hypericum gramineum Hypericum gymnanthum Hypericum gymnanthum Hypericum kouytchense Hypericum kouytchense Hypericum lalandii Hypericum lalandii Hypericum lanceolatum Hypericum lanceolatum Hypericum laxum Hypericum laxum Hypericum leschenaultii Hypericum leschenaultii Hypericum libanoticum Hypericum libanoticum Hypericum linarioides Hypericum linarioides Hypericum monanthemum Hypericum monanthemum Hypericum nummularium Hypericum nummularium Hypericum oliganthum Hypericum oliganthum Hypericum peplidifolium Hypericum peplidifolium Hypericum petiolulatum Hypericum petiolulatum Hypericum pseudohenryi Hypericum pseudohenryi Hypericum quartinianum Hypericum quartinianum Hypericum reptans Hypericum reptans Hypericum revolutum Hypericum revolutum Hypericum roeperanum Hypericum roeperanum Hypericum scabrum Hypericum scabrum Hypericum senanense Hypericum senanense Hypericum thymifolium Hypericum thymifolium Hyssop-leaved St. John's-wort Hypericum hyssopifolium Japanese St. John's wort Hypericum japonicum Lancaster's St. John's wort Hypericum lancasteri Large-leaved St. John's wort Hypericum grandifolium Lobb's St. John's wort Hypericum lobbii Many-leaved St. John's wort Hypericum polyphyllum Marsh St John's wort Hypericum elodes Marsh St. John's wort Hypericum uliginosum Marsh St. John's wort Hypericum virginicum Montbre's St. John's wort Hypericum montbretii Mountain St. John's-wort Hypericum montanum Mysore St. John's wort Hypericum mysurense Olympic St. John's wort Hypericum olympicum Perfoliate St. John's-wort Hypericum perfoliatum Psorospermum Psorospermum 3 items Psorospermum corymbiferum Psorospermum corymbiferum Richer's St. John's wort Hypericum richeri Rocheli's St. John's wort Hypericum rochelii Roeper's St. John's wort Hypericum roeperianum Rumelian St. John's-wort Hypericum rumeliacum Shining St. John's wort Hypericum nitidum Shrubby St. John's wort Hypericum prolificum Sinai St. John's wort Hypericum sinaicum Southern St. John's wort Hypericum australe Spotted St. John's wort Hypericum punctatum Spotted St. John's-wort Hypericum maculatum St. Andrew's cross Hypericum hypericoides St. Andrew's cross Hypericum crux-andreae St. John's wort Hypericum L. 8 items St. John's wort (Hypericum bellum) Hypericum bellum

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.