Hypericum crux-andreae
st. peterswort, atlantic st. peterswort, atlantic st. peter's-wort
Family
Clusiaceae
Leaf Arrangement
opposite
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
oblong, elliptic
Growth Form
forb, shrub
Flower Color
yellow
Flower Petals
4
Flower Month
June - October
Height (meters)
0.4 - 0.9
Milky Sap
Yes
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Warm season
Wetland Class
FACW
Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism
6
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
6
Field Characters
May be confused with Hypericum hypericoides which is the only other prairie species with four petals. H. crux-andreae may be distinguished by its flowers which have 3-4 styles, and its leaves which are oblong-elliptic, the upper ones clasping, while Hypericum hypericoides has two styles and linear to oblong-oblanceolate leaves that are narrowed at their base. The Hypericums have punctate or gland dotted leaves that are opaque if held up to the light.
Cultural Information
Seed germination is improved by cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997).
Habitat
Sandy sites.