Hypericum calycinum

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Hypericum calycinum
Hypericum calycinum - Bauer.jpg
Bauer's Illustration from Sibthorp's Flora Graeca
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Hypericaceae
Genus: Hypericum
Section: H. sect. Ascyreia
Species:
H. calycinum
Binomial name
Hypericum calycinum
Taken outside the Mukilteo Washington Library in July 2022 Hypericum Calycinum photos.jpg
Taken outside the Mukilteo Washington Library in July 2022

Hypericum calycinum is a species of prostrate or low-growing shrub in the flowering plant family Hypericaceae. Widely cultivated for its large yellow flowers, its names as a garden plant include rose-of-Sharon in Britain [3] and Australia, and Aaron's beard, great St-John's wort, creeping St. John's wort [4] and Jerusalem star. Grown in Mediterranean climates, widely spread in the Strandzha Mountains along the Bulgarian and Turkish Black Sea coast.

Contents

Description

Hypericum calycinum is a low, creeping, evergreen woody shrub (classified as a subshrub or shrublet [4] ) to about 1 m tall and 1–2 m wide but often smaller. The green, ovate leaves grow in opposite pairs. Usually 4 inches long, the undersides of the leaves are net-veined. In the sun, the leaves are a vibrant green color, and in shade, the leaves are a lighter yellow-green. [4] The underside of the leaves is a blue-green color and in the fall, the leaves take on a purple color. [5]

The flowers are 3–5 cm in diameter, a rich yellow, with five petals and numerous yellow stamens. Its flowers can be described as "rose-like" and tend to be single or in units of two or three, [4] flowering in June to September. [6]

Hypericum calycinum is indigenous to southeast Europe and southwest Asia. It is a popular, semi-evergreen garden shrub with many named cultivars and hybrids derived from it.

Although the genus is generally not affected by rust fungi, it can appear on H. calycinum (and another cultivated plant, Hypericum × inodorum 'Elstead'). [7]

Usage

Various species of the genus Hypericum have been used since ancient times as herbal remedies. [8] This species has been used traditionally to reduce muscle spasms and for the treatment of asthma. [9]

Hypericum calycinum is an economically valuable plant in North America, commonly used for ornamental reasons and landscaping. [10]

Under ideal growing conditions, from full sun to partial shade and well-drained acidic soil, this species can grow rapidly. [5] Although resilient in many soil types, this species grows best in sandy or loamy soils. This shrub grows through underground stems and is typically grown as ground cover or to stabilize soil on hills and requires low maintenance. It does have the potential to become invasive, as reported in some areas of California, [4] due to its ability to grow rapidly by stolons. While generally easy to take care of, this species is suggested to be cut down each spring. [7]

According to the USDA, this species is used as nursery stock product. [11]

It is visited by the honeybees for its pollen. [12]

Hypericum calycinum Hypericum calycinum Tasmania.jpg
Hypericum calycinum

Etymology

In North America the name Rose of Sharon is applied to a species in a different order, Hibiscus syriacus.

The common name of St. John's wort, which is used to describe plants of the entire genus, [9] arose from the old tradition of Hypericum plants being burned on the eve of St. John's Day, to stave off evil spirits. The species name, calycinum, comes from the flower's prominent calyx, the whorl of the sepals. [4]

Research

This species is capable of producing the same medicinally active components as H. perforatum (hyperforin etc.), though in different ratios, with adhyperforin predominating, and a low level of hyperforin present. [13]

Research has shown that the UV pigments of the Hypericum calycinum flower stave off predators such as mites and aphids. One type of DIP (dearomatized isoprenylated phloroglucinols), a category of pigments alongside flavonoids, was found to be toxic to a caterpillar as well. A large quantity of DIPs were found in the male and female reproductive organs, which furthers emphasizes the use of DIPs as a defense mechanism. These pigments also serve a dual function to attract pollinators, as they are visible to insects and not humans. [14]

Recent research on mice has shown that the alcoholic extracts from Hypericum calycinum have antidepressant effects and are comparably as effective as antidepressant drugs, such as desipramine and trimipramine. Unlike the rest of the genus, H. calycinum does not have hypericin, which causes photosensitization, which causes the side effects of flush, fatigue, and pruritus when used in drugs. These extracts have the potential to be a remedy for depression without these side effects common in current antidepressants. However, more research is required. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hypericum perforatum</i> Flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St John's wort, is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. It is a perennial plant that grows up to one meter tall, with many yellow flowers that have clearly visible black glands around their edges, long stamens, and three pistils. Probably a hybrid between the closely related H. attenuatum and H. maculatum that originated in Siberia, the species is now found worldwide. It is native to temperate regions across Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced to East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North and South America. In many areas where it is not native, H. perforatum is considered a noxious weed. It densely covers open areas to the exclusion of native plants, and is poor grazing material. As such, methods for biocontrol have been introduced in an attempt to slow or reverse the spread of the species.

<i>Hypericum</i> Genus of flowering plants known as St. Johns worts

Hypericum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hypericaceae. The genus has a nearly worldwide distribution, missing only from tropical lowlands, deserts and polar regions. Many Hypericum species are regarded as invasive species and noxious weeds. All members of the genus may be referred to as St. John's wort, and some are known as goatweed. The white or pink flowered marsh St. John's worts of North America and eastern Asia are generally accepted as belonging to the separate genus TriadenumRaf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyperforin</span> Chemical compound

Hyperforin is a phytochemical produced by some of the members of the plant genus Hypericum, notably Hypericum perforatum. Hyperforin may be involved in the pharmacological effects of St. John's wort, specifically in its antidepressant effects.

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors are compounds that slow or stop the action of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of inflammatory leukotrienes. The overproduction of leukotrienes is a major cause of inflammation in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and osteoarthritis.

<i>Hypericum maculatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum maculatum, commonly known as imperforate St John's-wort, or spotted St. Johnswort, is a species of perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. It is native to Europe and Western Asia where it grows in moist meadows.

<i>Hypericum androsaemum</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum androsaemum, the shrubby St. John's wort, is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. Commonly called tutsan or sweet-amber, the species is cultivated as an ornamental plant because of its striking red-tinted foliage, bright yellow petals, and its large clusters of fruit. Cultivars like 'Albury Purple' and 'Golden Tutsan' which have leaves with more pronounced purple and golden coloring, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhyperforin</span> Chemical compound

Adhyperforin is a phytochemical found in the members of the plant genus Hypericum including St. John's Wort. It has a very similar pharmacological profile to hyperforin and acts as a TRPC6 ion channel activator, thereby inhibiting the reuptake of various neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate. Adhyperforin is found in St. John's Wort in levels approximately 1/10 those of hyperforin.

<i>Hypericum olympicum</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum olympicum, commonly known as the Mount Olympus St. John's wort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae found in the Balkans and Turkey and introduced to western Europe. It has been widely cultivated for centuries because of its large, showy flowers, which are far larger than those of most other species in Hypericum.

<i>Hypericum grandifolium</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum grandifolium, the large-leaved St John's wort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. The plant is a bushy shrub that can grow to almost 2 meters tall. It has large leaves, golden yellow petals, and seed capsules that split open. H. grandifolium is native to the Canary Islands and Madeira in Macaronesia, but has become invasive in other regions, including California, after escaping from cultivation as an ornamental plant. It is parasitized by wasps and fungi, and is capable of reproducing through its rhizomes.

<i>Hypericum hirsutum</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum hirsutum is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae, commonly known as hairy St John's-wort. It is found in Western Europe.

<i>Hypericum ericoides</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum ericoides is a dwarf shrub in the flowering plant family Hypericaceae, section Coridium. It is found in eastern and southeastern Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia. Its preferred habitat is fissures in calcareous rocks in warm, sunny places, from 200 to 2,000 meters above sea level (MASL).

<i>Hypericum aegypticum</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum aegypticum is a species of flowering plant of the St. John's wort family (Hypericaceae) which is native to the Eastern Mediterranean. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in the second volume of his Species Plantarum in 1753, who named it after Egypt despite it not being distributed there. The plant is commonly known as shrubby St. John's wort or Egyptian St. John's wort in English. Like other members of section Adenotrias, it is found among limestone rocks in coastal areas. While it has been evaluated as threatened on the island of Malta, the species has no legal protections.

<i>Hypericum bupleuroides</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum bupleuroides is a species of perennial flowering plant in the St John's wort family, Hypericaceae. It grows 45–80 centimeters tall, and notably has perfoliate leaves that are fused at the stem. It has pyramid-shaped flower clusters of 1 to 25 flowers with yellow petals in a star-shaped arrangement. The species is found along the Black Sea coast near the Turkish–Georgian border. Hypericum bupleuroides has a small distribution and specific habitat requirements that make it vulnerable to environmental pressures.

<i>Hypericum hircinum</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypericum hircinum is a species of perennial flowering plant in the St John's wort family, Hypericaceae. It is known as goat St John's wort and stinking tutsan; both names refer to the plant's distinctive odor. The species is a bushy shrub that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, is many-stemmed, and has golden yellow flowers with conspicuous stamens. The plant has been well-documented in botanical literature, with mentions dating back to at least 1627. Carl Linnaeus described H. hircinum several times, including in his 1753 Species Plantarum which established its binomial. At one point the plant was placed into the defunct genus Androsaemum, but it was returned to Hypericum by Norman Robson in 1985.

<i>Hypericum foliosum</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum foliosum, the shining St John's wort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. It is a bushy shrub endemic to the Portuguese Azores Islands with golden yellow petals and many stems. The species was described by William Aiton in 1789 and was later placed into section Androsaemum of the genus Hypericum by Norman Robson in 1984. It has a diverse essential oil profile made up mostly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, and significant concentrations of various medicinally useful phenols and carotenoids. Populations of the plant are small in number, but quick to colonize cleared areas like groves, landslide areas, and volcanic ash deposits. It is parasitized by fungus and by moth species, but is not considered endangered by the IUCN. H. foliosum is used in traditional medicine on the Azores for diuretic, hepatoprotective, and antihypertensive purposes. It also has in vitro antibiotic and antioxidizing capabilities.

Hypericum edisonianum, known as Arcadian St. John's wort, Edison's St. John's wort, and Edison ascyrum, is a species of flowering plant in the St. John's wort family, Hypericaceae. It is endemic to Florida.

<i>Hypericum lancasteri</i> Species of flowering plant in the St Johns wort family Hypericaceae

Hypericum lancasteri, known as Lancaster's St. John's wort or as zhan e jin si tao in Chinese, is a species of flowering plant in the St. John's wort family Hypericaceae. The species has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Hypericum myrtifolium, the myrtleleaf St. Johnswort, is a species of flowering plant in the St. John's wort family, Hypericaceae. It is endemic to the Southeastern United States. It was first described by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1797.

<i>Hypericum origanifolium</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypericum origanifolium is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. It is native to Turkey, the Caucasus, and northwestern Syria. The species can be found in dry, often rocky, soil and on cliff slopes and ledges.

References

  1. ↑ Linnaeus, C. von (1767), Mantissa Plantarum 1: 106 [tax. nov.] Type: "Habitat in America septentrionali?"
  2. ↑ "Hypericum calycinum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  3. ↑ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hypericum calycinum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2018, from
  5. 1 2 Hypericum calycinum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2018, from
  6. ↑ Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press ISBN   978-185918-4783
  7. 1 2 Broddle, Petra (20 September 2007). "Hypericum". Horticulture Week. Teddington. pp. 22–23. ProQuest   225418901.
  8. 1 2 Öztürk, Y., Aydin, S., Beis, R., Başer, K. H. C., & Berberoĝlu, H. (1996). Effects of Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum calycinum L. extracts on the central nervous system in mice. Phytomedicine, 3(2), 139–146.
  9. 1 2 Mat, A. (2013). An overview on Hypericum species of Turkey. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, 5(3), 38–46.
  10. ↑ Hinz, Hariet L.; Schwarzländer, Mark; Gassmann, André; Bourchier, Robert S. (20 January 2017). "Successes We May Not Have Had: A Retrospective Analysis of Selected Weed Biological Control Agents in the United States". Invasive Plant Science and Management. 7 (4): 565–579. doi: 10.1614/IPSM-D-13-00095.1 . S2CID   83493514.
  11. ↑ Conservation Plant Characteristics for Hypericum calycinum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=HYCA10
  12. ↑ "Hypericum calycinum & Apis mellifera". 28 July 2013.
  13. ↑ Klingauf, P; Beuerle, T; Mellenthin, A; El-Moghazy, SA; Boubakir, Z; Beerhues, L (January 2005). "Biosynthesis of the hyperforin skeleton in Hypericum calycinum cell cultures". Phytochemistry. 66 (2): 139–45. Bibcode:2005PChem..66..139K. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2004.11.003. PMID   15652570.
  14. ↑ Gronquist, M., Bezzerides, A., Attygalle, A., Meinwald, J., Eisner, M., & Eisner, T. (2001). Attractive and defensive functions of the ultraviolet pigments of a flower (Hypericum calycinum). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98(24), 13745-13750.
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