Slender st. john’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum, Sp. Pl.: 786 (1753))

Family: Hypericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 786 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hypericum

Vegetable: False

Observations: NW. & W. Europe to NW. Croatia

Description

Slender St. John’s-wort, scientifically known as Hypericum pulchrum, is a notable member of the Hypericaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has attracted attention for its delicate beauty and widespread distribution.

The habitat of Hypericum pulchrum spans a broad geographical range, predominantly covering Northwestern and Western Europe, and extending towards Northwestern Croatia. This distribution suggests a preference for the temperate climates found within these regions.

Morphologically, Slender St. John’s-wort is recognized for its slender and graceful appearance. The plant typically showcases bright yellow flowers, which are a hallmark of many species within the Hypericaceae family. These flowers often bloom in clusters, creating a striking contrast against the green foliage. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem, which is characteristic of the genus Hypericum.

Ecologically, Hypericum pulchrum plays a significant role in its native habitats. It thrives in well-drained soils and is commonly found in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands. Its presence in these ecosystems not only adds to the floral diversity but also supports various pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Despite its delicate appearance, Slender St. John’s-wort is a resilient species. It has adapted to a variety of soil types and can often be found in both nutrient-rich and poorer soils. This adaptability underscores its ecological versatility and capacity to thrive in diverse environments.

In conclusion, Hypericum pulchrum, or Slender St. John’s-wort, stands out as a plant of considerable botanical interest due to its elegance, ecological significance, and widespread distribution in Europe. Aspects such as its morphology, habitat preferences, and role within the ecosystem highlight its importance and the admiration it continues to receive from botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: schönes johanniskraut
Dan: smuk perikon
Nor: fager-pirkum
Nno: fagerperikum
Nob: fagerperikum
Nld: fraai hertshooi
Swe: hedjohannesört
Fra: millepertuis élégant
Eng: slender st. john’s-wort, slender st john’s-wort, elegant st. john’s wort
Cym: erinllys mân syth, eurinllys meinsyth, eurinllys mân syth, eurinllys syth, eurinllys tlws, eurinlys-mân-syth
En: Slender St. John’s-wort, Slender St John’s-wort, Elegant St. John’s Wort, Slender Saint-John’s-wort, St. Johnswort
Ca: Hipèric pulcre
Cs: Třezalka pěkná
Da: Smuk Perikon
Nl: Fraai hertshooi, Fraai Herthooi
Fo: Fagurligt pirikum
Fi: Nummikuisma
Fr: Millepertuis elegant, Millepertuis élégant, Millepertuis joli
De: Schönes Hartheu, Schönes Johanniskraut, Heide-Johanniskraut
Hu: Kecses orbáncfű
Ga: Beathnua baineann
It: Erba di S. Giovanni occidentale, Erba di San Giovanni occidentale
No: Fager-pirkum
Nb: Fagerperikum
Nn: Fagerperikum
Pl: Dziurawiec nadobny
Sk: Ľubovník pekný
Sv: Hedjohannesört, Praktmansblod
Cy: Eurinllys meinsyth, Erinllys Mân Syth, Eurinllys Mân Syth, Eurinllys Syth, Eurinllys Tlws, Eurinlys-Mân-Syth

Synonyms

• Hypericum amplexicaule (Gilib.)
• Hypericum pulchrum var. filicaule (Merino)
• Hypericopsis pulchra ((L.) Opiz)
• Hypericum pulchrum var. gillotii (Rouy)
• Adenosepalum pulchrum ((L.) Fourr.)
• Hypericum pulchrum var. pallidum (Rouy)
• Hypericum pulchrum var. procumbens ((Rostr.) Beeby)
• Hypericum pulchrum f. procumbens (Rostr.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2019 by Radford Ashley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Anne-Marie Jegou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Hélène (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 1, 2021 by lanana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Martin Bomhardt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Anne-Marie Jegou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by erwinreynaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2016 by Steve Orridge (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Chris Georges (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 10, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2020 by Diego Naranjo (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Hélène (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by eric wessels (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2018 by Anne Briot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2021 by Regina Graf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by Corentin Ollive (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 24, 2020 by Maurice Marcel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Julien BARATAUD (cc-by-sa)

© 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/3712747)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:433764-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hypericum pulchrum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4