Hypericum  (Hypericum amblycalyx)

Flowers of Hypericum amblycalyx
Flowers of Hypericum amblycalyx
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Facts

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

Status

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

Description

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).

Range

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

Habitat

Found in rocky areas (2).

Biology

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).

Threats

The threats to this species are unknown.

Conservation

There are currently no conservation measures targeting this species.

Find out more

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.

Authentication

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

Glossary

  • Deciduous: a plant that sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season.
  • Sepal: a floral leaf (collectively comprising the calyx of the flower) that forms the protective outer layer of a flower bud.
  • Stamen: the male reproductive organ of a flower, it is made up of an anther (the pollen-producing organ) and a filament (stalk).
  • Whorls: in plants, a set of leaves, flowers, or branches that spring from a stem at the same point and encircle it.

References

  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.
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