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St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. Johnswort, also known as Klamath weed, is a member of the St. Johnswort family. It is an introduced, creeping perennial which reproduces by seeds and short horizontal roots. The multi- branched stems are 1 to 2-1/2 feet tall and emerge from a woody base. Leaves are opposite, elliptic to oblong, with translucent dots long the leaf margins. The bright yellow flowers have five petals which have black dots along their margins, and occur on showy terminal clusters. St. Johnswort is an aggressive invader of overgrazed rangeland. It is found on gravelly or dry sandy soils. This plant may be toxic to white-haired animals (causes photosensitization).

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