XHypericum perforatum - Common St. JohnswortX
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Klamath Weed -or- Common St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), family Clusiaceae (St John's Wort)
We need better photographs of this species. The genus hosts between 76 and 400 species with the classification of noxious or ivasive weed in Colorado, California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Worldwide the weed desingation holds in over 20 countries. Too bad the plants can't be utilized in some efficient way as there are many records of beneficial uses of the plants. The perennial herbs are indigenous to Europe. William Weber shows 2 other species in Colorado: majus and formosum.
USES: Native American records include: Cherokee - Compound decoction taken "to promote menstruation." Infusion taken for bloody flux and bowel complaint. Milky substance rubbed on sores. Infusion taken for fever. Crushed plant sniffed for nosebleed. Root chewed, a portion swallowed and rest used as poultice for snakebite. Infusion of root used as wash to give infants strength. Milky substance used for venereal disease. Iroquois - Roots used to prevent sterility. Montagnais Decoction of plant used as a cough medicine. Excellent additional information comes from the Colorado State University Extension website, Herbals for Health page: Orally: Treat depression - Improve premenstrual syndrome - Treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - Treat seasonal affective disorder - Topically: Used for wounds (inflammation), muscle aches, first-degree burns. Possible side effects from use of this species can include: Insomnia, anxiety, irritability, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, and headache, potosensitvity, and hypomania in depressed patients. Not recommended for people with major depression, bipolar chronic depression. disorder, Alzheimer's disease, or ADHD. CAUTIONS: Do not take with antidepressants, barbiturates, or alcohol. Check with pharmacist/doctor about other potential herb-drug interactions. Women taking St. John's Wort and oral contraceptives concurrently should use an additional or alternative form of birth control.
For livestock, ingestion can cause photosensitization, central nervous system depression, spontaneous abortion, and can lead to death.
FunFacts: The common name comes from the species traditional flowering and harvesting on St John's day, 24 June. The genus name Hypericum is derived from the Greek words hyper in reference to the traditional use of the plant to ward off evil, by hanging plants over a religious icon in the house during St John's day.
Perhaps the most important thing to learn about this species, to successfully gain the benefits the plant offers, is that it must be used carefully and appropriately.
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Plant location: Seen in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Colorado state at Hwy 72 and Plainview Road. The date was July 11, 2008. This species is found in all but a few of the United States and most of Canada. Habitats include pastures, fields, waste ground, roadsides, railroads.Plant -
Bloom season: June to September.Foliage -
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