Wildflower of the valley
Oblong-leaved St. John's Wort
Hypericum oblongifolium
- How easy to find
- Rare — you will see it only in some places
- Flower size
- Medium
- Family
- Hypericaceae (St. John's wort family)
- Local name
- Chitroi, Chaya, Basant
- Type
- Shrub
- Height
- medium
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Flowering
- June to August
About Oblong-leaved St. John's Wort
Hypericum oblongifolium is an erect hairless shrub up to 2 m with procumbent or ascending 4-angled stems. Leaves are stalkless. Flowers are yellow in color 4-6 cm across, solitary or 2 to 6 in terminal cymes. Sepals are ovate. The specific name oblongifolium refers to oblong shaped leaves.
Where to find it
- Along the trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria
- Near the entrance of the valley
Habitat
In open or in shady moist areas and rarely in undergrowth.
Uses & folklore
Leaves are used as fodder. Roots yield yellow dye. Leaves and stems are used to facilitate delivery.
What the name means
Hypericum is Greek hyper (above) + eikon (image) — the plant was hung above icons to ward off evil; oblongifolium means "oblong-leaved".
