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Hypericum prolificum L.

Modern name

Hypericum prolificum L.

A stout, erect-growing evergreen bush 3 to 5 ft high, the growths of the year but little branched, two-edged especially towards the top. Leaves dark, shining green, narrow-oblong, tapering to a short stalk, 112 to 212 in. long, 14 to 12 in. wide, dotted with numerous transparent glands. Flowers in terminal clusters and in the leaf-axils near the end of the shoot; each flower about 1 in. across, bright yellow. Fruits three-celled.

Native of the eastern and central United States; introduced about the middle of the 18th century. Under cultivation it is the healthiest and most vigorous of the American species, although not so handsome in flower as H. frondosum or kalmianum. It bears enormous crops of fruit. Allied to H. densiflorum, it differs in its larger leaves and flowers and more elongated inflorescence; and from H. kalmianum its three-celled fruits distinguish it. Starting to flower in July, it continues for six or eight weeks.


Genus

Hypericum

Other species in the genus