HYPERICACEAE - ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY
Scientific Description:
Shrubs or herbs usually with translucent glands containing essential oils and sometimes red or black glands containing hypericin. Leaves simple, opposite or rarely whorled. Sepals 5, imbricate in bud. Petals 5, free, contorted in bud. Stamens in fascicles or apparently indefinite. Ovary superior with axile or parietal placentation. Seeds without endosperm.
Reference:
Davis PH (1967). Hypericaceae, In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2: 355.
Public Description:
The “St. John’s-wort family”, contains annual or perennial herbs or shrubs and has a widespread distribution throughout the world. It is usually simple and opposite leaved and the leaves are often covered with dark glands or light colored dots. Flowers are usually yellow, but some may be in red or orange. The best-known herbal effect of the Saint John's-Wort family is an alternative natural sedative against other antidepressants.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2017). http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Families/Hypericaceae.htm, Accessed date: 14.04.2017.
Anonymous 2 (2016). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/family/hypericaceae//, Accessed date: 14.02.2016.
Anonymous 3 (2017). https://www.kew.org/science/tropamerica/neotropikey/families/Hypericaceae.htm, Accessed date: 14.04.2017.
