Hypericum androsaemum, L.

5. H. androsaemum L. , Sp. Pl. 784 (1753)

( Androsaemum officinale All. ).

Stems 30-70 cm, spreading, 2-lined. Leaves (2-5-)4-15(-30) cm, broadly ovate to ovate-oblong, sessile, sometimes amplexicaul, without goat-like smell when crushed. Sepals 8—12(—15) mm, markedly unequal, oblong-ovate to broadly ovate, deflexed and enlarging in fruit, persistent. Petals 6—10(—12) mm, obovate. Stamens shorter than petals, or equalling or slightly exceeding them. Styles shorter than ovary. Fruit 7—10(—12) mm, broadly cylindric-ellipsoid to globose, persistently fleshy, reddish, becoming black, deciduous. Damp or shady places. W. Europe, and locally in S. Europe eastwards to Turkey. Be Br Bu Co Ga Hb He Hs It Ju Lu Sa?Si Tu [Au]. Sect. PSOROPHYTUM (Spach) Endl. Glabrous shrubs, without black glands. Stem and leaves covered with prominent, resinous vesicles. Leaves opposite. Flowers terminal, solitary. Sepals entire. Petals and stamens deciduous. Stamen-fascicles 5. Styles (4-)5. Fruit a capsule. Seeds reticulate, neither winged nor carinate.