Hypericum tetrapterum Fr.
Square St. John's Wort
Square-stalked St John's-wort is a native perennial readily told apart by its stem, which is square in cross-section with a narrow wing running down each of the four angles. It spreads slowly by short rhizomes to form upright, leafy clumps, and in summer it carries clusters of pale yellow, five-petalled flowers that are smaller than those of its sun-loving relatives.
About
Square-stalked St John's-wort is a native perennial readily told apart by its stem, which is square in cross-section with a narrow wing running down each of the four angles. It spreads slowly by short rhizomes to form upright, leafy clumps, and in summer it carries clusters of pale yellow, five-petalled flowers that are smaller than those of its sun-loving relatives. Unlike many St John's-worts, the black dots on its leaves and petals are sparse or absent.
This is a plant of damp and wet places, thriving in marshes, wet meadows, pond and stream margins, ditches, damp woodland rides and gravel pits on moist, fairly fertile ground. It is fairly common throughout Britain, becoming scarcer only in the Scottish Highlands. The summer flowers supply nectar and pollen to bees and hoverflies. It is a natural choice for pond edges, bog gardens, rain gardens and damp grassland mixes where its moisture-loving habit can be put to good use.
Also known as
Square Stemmed Saint John's Wort · Square Stemmed St John’s Wort · Square-stalked St John's-Wort · St. Peter's-wort · four-winged St. John's-wort · square-stalk St. John's-wort · square-stalk St. Johnswort · square-stalked St. John's-wort
Synonyms
Holosepalum quadrangulum · Hypericum acutum · Hypericum acutum anagallidioides · Hypericum acutum anagallifolium · Hypericum acutum corsicum · Hypericum acutum humile · Hypericum acutum insulare · Hypericum acutum patulum · Hypericum acutum tetrapterum · Hypericum alatum
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.