Putnam Park Wildflowers


Flower ID: IMG_7641.JPG-07-19-2023
Flower name (scientific): Hypericum prolificum Linnaeus PY: 1767. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) hy-PER-ih-kum pro-LIF-ih-kum
Flower name (common): Shrubby St. John's Wort
Family name (common): St. John's-wort
Family name (scientific): Hypericaceae
Scientific name origin:
     Genus: From the Greek for above pictures. Referring to its use above shrines to repel evil spirits. Also the Greek name for St. John's Wort, which typically blooms around St. John's Day, June 24.
    Specific epithet: Very fruitful, reproducing freely, prolific. Referencing the numerous stamens.
Common name origin: Refers to the bushy appearance of the plant and its membership in the St. John's-wort family.
Flower description:
     Size: 0.6 to 1.2 inches (1.5 to 3.0 cm)
     Petal count: 5
     Color: yellow
     Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-cyme
Plant description:
     Size: 30 to 60 inches (76 to 152 cm)
     Stem hairy:
     Other:
Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple
     Size:
     Color:
     Hairy:
     Other: Shape: leaf, narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic-oblanceolate (FNA), linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic (IL)
Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced. The FNA regards this species as native to Wisconsin. A comment on the Flora of Wisconsin website suggests that it is unlikely that any of the populations of this species in the state are native. Probably connected with the wide spread use of this species in cultivation.
Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon
Bloom time (typical): July to September
Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial
Habitat: Woodlands, prairies, fields, forests, swamps, streambanks, sun.
Fruit:
Seed:
Importance to wildlife:
Similar species (if any): Hypericum kalmianum is fairly similar. A major difference is that Hypericum kalmianum has an ovary that is usually 5-merous, that is, 5-parted, whereas Hypericum prolificum has an ovary that is usually 3-merous. Hypericum kalmianum is more common in Wisconsin than Hypericum prolificum.
Ethnobotany:
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Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Crawford, Lafayette, Marinette, Price, Richland, Sheboygan) Click here for distribution map
In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map
In Canada: (ON) Click here for distribution map
References:
Synonym(s):
Basionym: na
Homotypic Synonym(s):
Heterotypic Synonym(s):
Autonym: na
Wetland Status (NC): FACU
Wetland Status (MW): FACU