Flora Medica

HYPERICACE^:.Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 77.HYPERICUM.Sepals 5, more or less connected at the base. Petals 5. Stamensusually very numerous, united at the base into 3-5 bundles,rarely somewhat distinct. Styles 3-5, distinct or rarelycombined, persistent. Capsules unilocular, or with several cells,membranaceous, 3-5-valved, many-seeded. Seeds roundish ;seed-coat double : albumen none :embryo with semicylindricalcotyledons. Herbaceous or shrubby plants. Leaves opposite,or very rarely alternate, sessile or nearly so. Flowers eithersolitary, in threes, cymose, corymbosely panicled, or umbellate,usually yellow. W. and A.232. H. perforatum Linn. sp. pi. 1105. E. Bot. t. 295.Fl. Lond. t. 57. Woodv. t. 10. DC. prodr.i. 54-9. Commonin groves and hedges in Europe.Root woody, tufted, somewhat creeping. Stem tall, and bushy, inconsequence of the length of its axillary leafy branches ; its form round,with only 2 opposite ribs or angles. The whole herb dark green, witha powerful scent when rubbed, staining the fingers with dark purple,from the great abundance of coloured essential oil, lodged in the herbageand even in the petals. Leaves very numerous, elliptical or ovate,obtuse, various in width. Flowers bright yellow, dotted and streakedwith black or dark purple, numerous, in dense, forked, terminal panicles.Sepals narrow. Styles short, erect. Capsules large, ovate. Leavesastringent ;an infusion has been used in gargles and lotions.ANDROS2EMUM.Sepals rather unequal, reflexed. Petals deciduous, reflexed.Stamens in 5 very short deciduous parcels. Ovary incompletely3-celled, with distinct placentae;ovules inmany rows ;styles 3.distinct; stigmas minute. Capsule baccate, indehiscent, becomingbrittle and 3-partite; placentae elliptical, somewnatmembranous, stipitate.233. A. officinale AIL ped. n. 1440. DC. prodr.i, 543.Hypericum Androsasmum Linn, sp.pl. 1102. E. Bet. t. 1225.Fl. Lond. t. 48. Woods in Europe.Anundershrub. Branches quadrangular, somewhat compressed. Leavesovate or cordate, sessile. Panicles terminal, forked, many-flowered,with angular smooth peduncles. Flowers 1 inch wide, yellow. Fruit117 i 3