Bushy St. Johnswort is one of fifty-plus species of St. Johnswort found on the North American continent. According to the USDA, Bushy St...Read More. Johnswort is most commonly found down the eastern seaboard and across the gulf states, from Massachusetts south to Georgia, west to Texas. It is classified as endangered in New York state, and threatened in Pennsylvania.
It adapts well to a wide variety of soils, and is one of the first plants to begin greening -- in late January or early February the leaves begin to appear in zone 5b.
The blooms are bright yellow-colored pompom-like inflorescences up to an inch in diameter, similar to dandelion blossoms only more delicate. Bees and insects find these blooms attractive.
This bushy perennial keeps a compact, rounded three to four foot egg shape with no effort. The dark brown seed pods remain on the plant throughout the winter, and become unsightly once the plant begins to green again.
This plant contains a photoreactive (light-sensitive) chemical called hypericin. Hypericin is known to cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals. Sensitive individuals should wear gloves and long sleeves when working with this plant, and should thoroughly wash any exposed skin immediately. In grazing herbivores ingesting St. Johnswort can cause light-sensitive dermatitis with blistering (second degree sunburn), and in extreme cases death.
Bushy St. Johnswort is one of fifty-plus species of St. Johnswort found on the North American continent. According to the USDA, Bushy St...Read More