Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum, Sp. Pl.: 784 (1753))

Family: Hypericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 784 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hypericum

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & S. Europe to N. Iran, NW. Africa

Description

Tutsan, a notable member of the Hypericaceae family, is scientifically known as Hypericum androsaemum. This plant has a wide geographic presence, spanning from Western and Southern Europe to Northern Iran, and extending to Northwestern Africa.

The term Tutsan is derived from the Old French “toute-saine,” meaning “all healthful,” which is fitting for a plant historically celebrated for its medicinal properties. The Tutsan shrub features striking characteristics, notably its oval, dark green leaves and clusters of star-shaped, yellow flowers that typically bloom from June to August. These flowers eventually give way to vibrant berries that transition from red to black as they mature, adding a dynamic visual appeal over the seasons.

First described in 1753 by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” Tutsan holds a significant place within botanical literature. Linnaeus’s description laid the groundwork for subsequent studies and appreciation of this versatile plant.

Thriving in hedgerows, woodlands, and shaded areas with damp soil, Tutsan is not only appreciated for its aesthetic qualities but also for its resilience and adaptability to different environments. Its leaves and berries have been traditionally used for their supposed healing properties, accentuating the cultural and practical importance of this plant throughout its natural range.

In summary, Hypericum androsaemum, or Tutsan, is a multifaceted plant with a rich historical background and extensive distribution. Its presence across various regions and its notable features make it a captivating subject for both botanical enthusiasts and those interested in natural remedies.

Common Names

Deu: beeren-johanniskraut, blut-johanniskraut, mannsblut, menschenblut-johanniskraut
Dan: bær-perikon
Eng: sweet-amber, tutsan
Fra: androsème, toute-saine, millepertuis androsème, toute-naine
Nld: mansbloed
Swe: läkehyperikum
Cym: creulys benddiged, creulys bendigad, creulys bendigaid, creulys bendiged, dail penddiged, dail y beiblau, dail y fendigaid, dail y twrch, eurinlys bendigaid, gwaed y gwŷr, llys perfigedd, llys y penddigaid
En: Tutsan, Sweet-amber, Park-leaves, Sweet Amber
Az: Boyaq dazı
Eu: Orkatx arrunt
Bn: টুটসান
Bg: Багрилна звъника
Ca: Orval
Cs: Třezalka bobulovitá
Da: Bær-Perikon
Nl: Mansbloed
Fi: Englanninpensaskuisma
Fr: Androsème, Toute-saine, Millepertuis androsème, Toute-naine, Androsème officinal, Herbe à tous les maux, Millerpertuis à baies, Passe-cure, Passecure, Souveraine, Toute-bonne
De: Mannsblut, Blut-Johanniskraut, Beeren-Johanniskraut, Menschenblut-Johanniskraut, Blutheil, Konradskraut
Ga: Meas torc allta
It: Erba di S. Giovanni arbustiva, Erba sana, Ruta selvatica, Tutta-sana, Androsemo, Erba di San Giovanni arbustiva, Erba-sana
Fa: متامتی
Pl: Dziurawiec barwierski
Pt-br: Hipérico, Hipéricum
Ru: Зверобой красильный
Sk: Ľubovník bobuľovitý
Es: Androsemo, Castelar, Todasana, Sanalotodo, Todabuena
Sv: Läkehyperikum
Cy: Dail y Beiblau, Creulys Benddiged, Creulys Bendigad, Creulys Bendigaid, Creulys Bendiged, Dail Penddiged, Dail y Fendigaid, Dail y Twrch, Eurinlys Bendigaid, Gwaed y Gwŷr, Llys Perfigedd, Llys y Penddigaid

Synonyms

• Hypericum androsaemum f. variegatum (D.C.McClint. & E.C.Nelson)
• Hypericum webbianum (G.Nicholson)
• Hypericum floridum (Salisb.)
• Androsaemum vulgare (Gaertn.)
• Hypericum bacciforme (Bubani)
• Hypericum bacciferum (Lam.)
• Hypericum androsaemum var. dilatatum (Merino)
• Androsaemum floridum (Salisb.)
• Androsaemum officinale (All.)
• Androsaemum androsaemum ((L.) Huth)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Antipodean Is. (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2022 by ben stopford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (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.

Fruit

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by gianni corazza (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Steve Orridge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2018 by kitti tanga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2018 by Cathy Géray (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 5, 2019 by Emanuele Baroncelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2019 by Michael Goddard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2017 by Heinz Gass (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Mercadante Mauricio (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2021 by thomas boscardin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 25, 2017 by Mary Pierce (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by renaud rb (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by Livio Grisoni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by sofie kay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by Green Man (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189525)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:433187-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hypericum androsaemum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 6