Family: Hypericaceae
Author: Thunb. ex Murray
Bibliography: J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14: 702 (1784)
Year: 1784
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Hypericum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Indian Subcontinent to Kuril Is. and Australasia
Description
The matted St. John’s-wort, known scientifically as Hypericum japonicum, is a fascinating plant that holds a notable position within the Hypericaceae family. First classified by J.A. Murray in the 1784 publication of Systema Vegetabilium, this species was described with contributory work by the botanist Thunberg.
This herb is natively found across a wide and diverse geographical range, spanning from the Indian Subcontinent to the Kuril Islands and even extending into the Australasia region. This broad habitat presence is indicative of its adaptability to various environmental conditions.
The matted St. John’s-wort is often recognized for its distinctive matting growth pattern, which allows it to form dense layers across the ground, making it a vital component of the ecosystems it inhabits. This growth trait not only identifies it but also suggests its role in preventing soil erosion and contributing to the stability of its native landscapes.
Belonging to the Hypericaceae family, Hypericum japonicum shares some of the characteristic features associated with its relatives, such as the typical bright yellow flowers and a preference for moist, sunny locations. These attributes make it an attractive plant for both natural environments and cultivated gardens, where it can be appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits.
The extensive reach and adaptability of the matted St. John’s-wort, coupled with its long-standing historical recognition in botanical literature, mark it as a species of notable interest within the botanical community.
Common Names
Eng: matted st. john’s-wort
En: Matted St. John’s-wort, Swamp hypericum, Japanese St. John’s wort
Zh: 地耳草, 小還魂
Fr: Millepertuis monogyne
Zh-tw: 地耳草
: Matted st. john’s-wort
Synonyms
- Reseda cochinchinensis (Lour.)
- Hypericum japonicum var. typicum (Hochr.)
- Hypericum japonicum var. humifusum ((Labill.) Hook.f.)
- Brathys humifusa ((Labill.) Spach)
- Hypericum japonicum var. ramosum (Choisy)
- Hypericum japonicum var. robustum (Miq. ex Koidz.)
- Hypericum calycatum (Jacquem. ex Dyer)
- Sarothra laxa f. erecta (Y.Kimura)
- Hypericum thunbergii (Franch. & Sav.)
- Brathys cespitosa var. pusilla (Blume)
- Hypericum japonicum f. yabei ((H.Lév. & Vaniot) Makino)
- Hypericum japonicum var. accumbens ((Blume) Pamp.)
- Sarothra japonica ((Thunb.) Y.Kimura)
- Hypericum japonicum var. maximowiczii (R.Keller)
- Hypericum japonicum var. majus (Fyson)
- Hypericum japonicum var. simplicius (R.Keller)
- Sarothra japonica f. ramosa (Y.Kimura)
- Hypericum cavaleriei (H.Lév.)
- Brathys laxa (Blume)
- Brathys oryzetum (Blume)
- Hypericum nervatum (Hance)
- Hypericum jeongjocksanense (S.J.Park & K.J.Kim)
- Brathys japonica var. accumbens (Blume)
- Hypericum laxum ((Blume) Koidz.)
- Brathys japonica var. acutisepala (Miq.)
- Hypericum japonicum var. thunbergii ((Franch. & Sav.) R.Keller)
- Sarothra laxa f. hananoegoensis ((Masam.) Y.Kimura)
- Sarothra laxa f. ramosissima (Y.Kimura)
- Sarothra laxa f. simplex (Y.Kimura)
- Hypericum dominii (H.Lév.)
- Reseda chinensis (Lour.)
- Brathys japonica var. mucronisepala (Miq.)
- Sarothra japonica f. vulgaris (Y.Kimura)
- Ascyrum humifusum (Labill.)
- Sarothra laxa ((Blume) Y.Kimura)
- Hypericum laxum var. novo-guineense (Hatus.)
- Hypericum japonicum f. tenuis (Miq.)
- Brathys japonica ((Thunb.) Wight)
- Hypericum pseudojaponicum (Nakai)
- Hypericum japonicum var. plurinervium (H.Lév.)
- Hypericum japonicum var. calyculatum (R.Keller)
- Hypericum sumatranum (Miq.)
- Sarothra japonica f. microphylla ((Miq.) Y.Kimura)
- Sarothra japonica f. robusta ((Miq. ex Koidz.) Y.Kimura)
- Hypericum scaturiginum (Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.)
- Brathys debilis (Blume)
- Brathys radicans (Blume)
- Brathys cespitosa (Blume)
- Tridia frankenioides (Korth.)
- Brathys nepalensis (Blume)
- Hypericum japonicum f. microphyllum (Miq.)
- Hypericum pusillum (Choisy)
- Hypericum laxum var. hananoegoense (Masam.)
- Hypericum japonicum var. cavaleriei ((H.Lév.) Koidz.)
- Sarothra laxa f. ramosa (Y.Kimura)
- Sarothra laxa f. repens (Y.Kimura)
- Sarothra loureiroana (Schult.)
Distribution
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Hainan (native)
- India (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Korea (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- New Zealand North (native)
- New Zealand South (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Queensland (native)
- South Australia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Jul 23, 2008 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Mark Francis Watson (cc-by-nc)
© 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/7948012)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:323251-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hypericum japonicum Thunb.)