Family: Hypericaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Fl. Suec., ed. 2: 266 (1755)
Year: 1755
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Hypericum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to W. Caucasus, NW. Africa
Description
Pale St. John’s-wort (Hypericum montanum) is a flowering plant belonging to the Hypericaceae family. This species was first described in the second edition of “Flora Suecica” in 1755 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus.
This perennial herb is native to a vast region encompassing much of Europe, extending eastward to the Western Caucasus, and including parts of North West Africa. The plant’s natural habitat spans a variety of terrains, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions.
Hypericum montanum is characterized by its striking, pale yellow flowers, which typically bloom during the summer months. Each flower features five petals, creating a delicate yet vividly colored display. The foliage of Pale St. John’s-wort is also noteworthy, with leaves that are oblong and smooth-edged, providing a lush green backdrop to the charming blossoms.
In addition to its visual appeal, Pale St. John’s-wort has been traditionally valued in some cultures for its purported medicinal properties, much like its close relative, Hypericum perforatum (Common St. John’s-wort). However, its use in modern herbal medicine is less prominent.
Ecologically, Hypericum montanum plays a role in supporting local biodiversity. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contributing to the health and sustainability of its native ecosystems.
Given its wide distribution, Pale St. John’s-wort is a resilient and adaptable species. Its ability to thrive in different climates and soil types makes it a plant of interest for both botanical study and horticultural cultivation. Whether growing wild in the meadows and hillsides of Europe or cultivated in gardens, Hypericum montanum continues to be admired for its elegance and ecological importance.
Common Names
Deu: berg-johanniskraut, bergjohanniskraut
Dan: bjerg-perikon
Nld: berghertshooi
Swe: bergjohannesört, vuorikuisma
Nob: bergperikum
Nno: bergperikum
Fra: millepertuis des montagnes
Eng: pale st. john’s-wort, pale st john’s-wort, mountain st. john’s wort
Fin: vuorikuisma
Cym: eirynllys y mynydd, erinllis, erinllys, eurinllys gwelw, eurinllys mynyddig, eurinllys mynyddol, eurinllys y mynydd
En: Pale St. John’s-wort, Mountain St. John’s Wort, Pale St John’s-wort, Pale Saint-John’s-wort
Az: Dağlıq dazısı
Be: Святаяннік горны
Bg: Планинска звъника
Cs: Třezalka horská
Da: Bjerg-Perikon
Nl: Berghertshooi
Et: Mägi-naistepuna
Fi: Vuorikuisma
Fr: Millepertuis des montagnes
De: Berg-Hartheu, Berg-Johanniskraut, Berghartheu, Bergjohanniskraut
It: Erba di S. Giovanni montana, Erba di San Giovanni montana
Lv: Kalnu asinszāle
Lt: Kalninė jonažolė
Nb: Bergperikum
Nn: Bergperikum
Pl: Dziurawiec skąpolistny
Ru: Зверобой горный
Sk: Ľubovník horský
Es: Hipérico de montaña
Sv: Bergjohannesört, Vuorikuisma
Uk: Звіробій гірський
Cy: Eurinllys gwelw, Eirynllys y Mynydd, Erinllis, Erinllys, Eurinllys Mynyddig, Eurinllys Mynyddol, Eurinllys y Mynydd
: Pale st. john’s-wort
Synonyms
- Hypericum montanum subsp. elegantissimum ((Crantz) Jáv.)
- Hypericum montanum f. verticillatum (C.G.Westerl.)
- Hypericum montanum var. triphyllum (Choisy)
- Hypericum montanum f. humifusoides (Kuntze)
- Hypericum elegantissimum (Crantz)
- Hypericum montanum var. scabrum (W.D.J.Koch)
- Hypericum montanum f. ternatum (Borbás)
- Hypericum glandulosum (Gilib.)
- Hypericum montanum f. abbreviatum (Reinecke)
- Hypericum montanum var. scaberulum (Beck)
- Hypericum tauricum (Ledeb.)
- Hypericopsis montana ((L.) Opiz)
- Hypericum montanum var. caucasicum (Boiss.)
- Adenosepalum montanum ((L.) Fourr.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2020 by Marcela Hadravová (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2017 by Denis SABATIER (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Géraldine Delatouche (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Géraldine Delatouche (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Saro Granaceno (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Saro Granaceno (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Géraldine Delatouche (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Stephen LEROY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2007 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2021 by Marijk Hoed (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 24, 2009 by Hervé Rey (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel CAHEN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2018 by plantx (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2021 by Marijk Hoed (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jun 30, 1873 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:433620-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3714477)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hypericum montanum L.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Soil nutriments: 3