Dwarf st. johnswort (Hypericum mutilum, Sp. Pl.: 787 (1753))

Family: Hypericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 787 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hypericum

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to E. Mexico

Description

The Dwarf St. Johnswort, identified scientifically as Hypericum mutilum, is a modest yet remarkable perennial plant belonging to the Hypericaceae family. First chronicled by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has garnered attention for its hardy nature and extensive geographic range.

Native to a broad swath of eastern North America, the Dwarf St. Johnswort ranges from Eastern Canada, with its cooler climates, down to the warmer regions of Eastern Mexico. It is a versatile species that thrives in a variety of habitats, often found in moist, open areas such as wetlands, along streams, and in meadows. Its adaptability to different environmental conditions makes it a common, yet ecologically important, component of these landscapes.

Enthusiasts of Hypericum mutilum will note its distinctive small stature, which allows it to elegantly complement the flora of its native regions without overpowering its environment. The plant typically blooms in the summer, featuring small, star-shaped yellow flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. These blossoms contribute to the plant’s role in supporting local ecosystems, providing essential resources for pollinating insects.

The resilience and widespread distribution of Dwarf St. Johnswort underline its importance in both natural and cultivated settings. Despite its unassuming size, it plays a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance and offering aesthetic value to gardens and natural landscapes alike. In botanical studies and horticulture, it continues to be a subject of interest not only for its historical classification but also for its practical and environmental significance.

Common Names

Eng: dwarf st. johnswort, dwarf st. john’s wort, dwarf st. john’s-wort, slender st. john’s-wort, small canadian st. john’s-wort, small-flowered st. john’s-wort
Ita: erba di san giovanni americana
Fra: millepertuis, millepertuis nain
En: Dwarf St. Johnswort, Dwarf St. John’s Wort, Dwarf St. John’s-Wort, Slender St. John’s-wort, Small Canadian St. John’s-wort, Small-flowered St. John’s-wort, Dwarf Saint-John’s-wort
Fr: Millepertuis, Millepertuis nain
It: Erba di S. Giovanni americana, Erba di San Giovanni americana
Ru: Зверобой недоразвитый
: Dwarf st. johnswort

Synonyms

• Sarothra mutila ((L.) Y.Kimura)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jul 8, 2014 by EOL − Susan Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2007 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2007 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 11, 2022 by malot w (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Yvon REPÉRANT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Melissa Spedaliere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by Dandrew St. Evens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2007 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 1, 2009 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2009 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189462)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:126289-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hypericum mutilum L.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Crown

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.2

Ph minimum: 4.6

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 5