Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort)

Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St John's wort) Common wild plant, one to two feet tall, with golden yellow flowers. Its small oval leaves and flowers may have black spots. Herbal and homeopathic preparations are used for depression, neuralgias, and a variety of other conditions. Hypericum contains flavonoids; glycosides; mucilage, tannins; volatile oil, hypericin and hyperforin. In the past, a branch was often hung over the doors of houses to ward off evil spirits. The leaves have been used as a tea. Poisoning through ingestion is very mild. Two tall-stemmed plants with yellow flowering heads. Plant from above, showing mass of yellow, 5-petalled flowers.