Hypericum (Hypericum amblycalyx)

KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderMalpighiales
FamilyGuttiferae
GenusHypericum (1)
SizeStem length: up to 50 cm (2)

Classified as Rare on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plant Species 1997 (1).

This Hypericum is a small, bushy shrub that is decorated during spring with a beautiful cloak of bright yellow flowers (2) (3). The petals and sepals are deciduous, being shed at the end of the flowering season (2). The plant is extensively branched with erect stems that grow in tufts, with thin leaves growing around each stem in whorls of four (2).

Confined to the east side of the Greek island of Crete (2).

Found in rocky areas (2).

The flowers of Hypericum species are hermaphrodite, meaning that they contain both male and female reproductive organs, and the fruit produced is usually a small capsule (2) (4). There are a large number of stamen in the centre of Hypericum flowers, the outer whorl of which is sterile or absent (4). This species blossoms in spring (3).

The threats to this species are unknown.

There are currently no conservation measures targeting this species.

For more information on this species see:

Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A. & Valentine, D.H. (1968) Flora Europaea: Rosaceae to Umbelliferae v. 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

  1. Walter, K.S. and Gillett, H.J. (1998) 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. IUCN (The World Conservation Union), Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
  2. Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A. and Valentine, D.H. (1968) Flora Europaea: Rosaceae to Umbelliferae v. 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  3. Rock Garden Plants Database (April, 2006)
    http://www.kadel.cz/flora/kvSearch.html
  4. Heywood, V.H. (1978) Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford.