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Hypericum prolificum
Hypericum prolificum L.
Shrubby St. John's-wort
Clusiaceae (Mangosteen Family)
Synonym(s): Hypericum spathulatum
USDA Symbol: hypr
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Shrubby St. John’s-wort is a small, mound-shaped, deciduous shrub, often to 3 ft. tall, with dense, upright branching and exfoliating, red to purple bark. Smooth, dark- to blue-green, fine-textured foliage becomes yellow-green in fall. Large, yellow flowers occur singly or in few-flowered clusters. A dry, dehiscent, three-valved capsule persists all winter.
This shrub adapts to a variety of moisture regimes and is even flood tolerant. It has no serious disease or insect problems. This species is pH adaptable but does extremely well in calcareous sites.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: ON , QC
Native Distribution: NY to s. MI & IA, s. to GA, LA & OK
Native Habitat: Sandy, open woods; meadows; seepage slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Intermediate.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Seeds can be used for propagation but softwood cuttings, which root easily, are the usual method.Seed Treatment: Seeds require no special treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Groundcover to reduce erosion for shady area in New York
May 05, 2009
We live on a lake with gravelly and clay soils, lots of wind and little sun. I am looking for a native ground cover that will help reduce erosion over some of the steep slopes facing south (under shad...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen native shrubs for poor drainage area in Cedar Hill, TX
March 21, 2008
Hi! I have one (big!) bed in on the front of my house. Due to the way the house/motorcourt is built, that area (when it rains as much as it did last year!) doesn't drain well. I now have to replac...
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National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Hypericum prolificum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Hypericum prolificum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hypericum prolificum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: TWC Staff