# Hypericum foliosum
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{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the St John's wort family}}
{{Good article}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Hypericum foliosum.JPG
| image_caption =
| genus = Hypericum
| parent = Hypericum sect. Androsaemum
| species = foliosum
| authority = [Aiton](/source/William_Aiton)
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = [{{cite iucn |author=Silva, L. |date=2017 |title=''Hypericum foliosum'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T103562390A103562402 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103562390A103562402.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}]
}}
'''''Hypericum foliosum''''', the '''shining St John's wort''', is a species of [flowering plant](/source/flowering_plant) in the family [Hypericaceae](/source/Hypericaceae). It is a bushy shrub endemic to the Portuguese [Azores Islands](/source/Azores) with golden yellow petals and many stems. The species was described by [William Aiton](/source/William_Aiton) in 1789 and was later placed into section ''[Androsaemum](/source/Hypericum_sect._Androsaemum)'' of the genus ''Hypericum'' by [Norman Robson](/source/Norman_Robson_(botanist)) in 1984. It has a diverse [essential oil](/source/essential_oil) profile made up mostly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, and significant concentrations of various medicinally useful [phenols](/source/phenols) and [carotenoid](/source/carotenoid)s. Populations of the plant are small in number, but quick to colonize cleared areas like groves, landslide areas, and volcanic ash deposits. It is parasitized by fungus and by moth species, but is not considered endangered by the IUCN. ''H. foliosum'' is used in traditional medicine on the Azores for [diuretic](/source/diuretic), [hepatoprotective](/source/Hepatoprotection), and [antihypertensive](/source/Antihypertensive_drug) purposes. It also has ''[in vitro](/source/in_vitro)'' [antibiotic](/source/antibiotic) and [antioxidizing](/source/Antioxidant) capabilities.
== Etymology ==
The [genus](/source/genus) name ''Hypericum'' is possibly derived from the [Greek](/source/Greek_language) words {{Lang|el|hyper}} (above) and {{Lang|el|eikon}} (picture), in reference to the tradition of hanging the plant over religious [icon](/source/icon)s in the home.{{Sfn|Coombes|2012|p=172}} The specific epithet "''[foliosum](/source/wiktionary%3Afoliosum)''" comes from the Latin word "''[foliosus](/source/wiktionary%3Afoliosus)''" which refers to a leaf.[{{Cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Charlton |last2=Short |first2=Charles |date=1879 |title=A Latin Dictionary |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0059:entry=foliosus |access-date=13 January 2023 |website=Perseus Tufts}}] In the [Azores Islands](/source/Azores), ''Hypericum foliosum'' is known as '''malfurada''' or '''furalha'''.{{Sfn|Moura|1998|p=244}} In English, it is called the shining St John's wort.{{Sfn|Aiton|Bauer|Sowerby|Ehret|1789|p=104}}
== Description ==
left|thumb|''Hypericum foliosum'' is a bushy shrub with many stems.
''Hypericum foliosum'' is a [perennial](/source/perennial) [shrub](/source/shrub) that grows at least {{Convert|50-100|cm|sp=us}} tall. It may be bushy, and its branches grow both upright and outwards from the center of the plant.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}} It usually flowers in August.{{Sfn|Aiton|Bauer|Sowerby|Ehret|1789|p=104}}
=== Vegetative structures ===
The [stems](/source/Plant_stem) are notched, showing [crenation](/source/crenation), and are a yellow-brown color.{{Sfn|Caldeira|Zhang|Gouveia|Videira|2023|p=1089}} The stems are flattened when the plant is young, but become more round as it matures. They are covered in bark covered in lengthwise ridges and dark pits that stand out against the lighter surface.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}} The stem has an average width of around 0.35 cm, and there is around 2 cm of stem between leaves.{{Sfn|Caldeira|Zhang|Gouveia|Videira|2023|p=1089}} When viewed in cross-section, there are four distinct rings in the stem. The outermost is a thick, reddish-brown [cuticle](/source/Plant_cuticle) of [cork](/source/Cork_cambium). The next two rings are an external and internal [cortex](/source/Cortex_(botany)) containing secretory canals, vascular bundles, rows of [phloem](/source/phloem), and secondary [xylem](/source/xylem). The innermost ring is made of [pith](/source/pith) with starch grains in the cells.{{Sfn|Caldeira|Zhang|Gouveia|Videira|2023|p=1091}}
thumb|From top to bottom: leaf, flower cluster, and petal of ''H. foliosum''
The [leaves](/source/Leaf) are located on opposite sides of the stem and are shaped like an egg that is stretched to be longer, or similar to a [lance](/source/lance).{{Sfn|Caldeira|Zhang|Gouveia|Videira|2023|p=1090}} They are {{Convert|3.5-6.0|cm|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|1-3.2|cm|4=1|abbr=on}} wide. Their texture is papery and they are a lighter color on the undersides.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}} The edges of the leaf are smooth and lack notches, and the point tapers in a sharp angle. There is either no leafstalk or a very short leafstalk that attaches each leaf to the stem. There are also small [stipule](/source/stipule)s near the leafstalk that are yellow-brown like the stems.{{Sfn|Caldeira|Zhang|Gouveia|Videira|2023|p=1090}} There are no [stoma](/source/stoma)ta on the upper surface of the leaf, but there are several kinds of the guard cells on the undersides. There are also many translucent oil glands scattered across both leaf surfaces.{{Sfn|Caldeira|Zhang|Gouveia|Videira|2023|p=1092-1093}} The central leaf vein is flanked by 4–5 pairs of ascending veins, and the leaf's network of small tertiary veins are also clearly visible. The leaves contain both [chlorophyll'' ''a](/source/chlorophyll_a) and [chlorophyll'' ''b](/source/chlorophyll_b).{{Sfn|Rainha|Lima|Baptista|Rodrigues|2011|p=1933}}
=== Flowering structures ===
The flowers of ''Hypericum foliosum'' are grouped in clusters of 1–9, in a shape between a [corymb](/source/corymb) and [umbel](/source/umbel). The branches that carry the flowers generally grow upwards, and the cluster sometimes has accessory flowers lower on the branches. The [stalks](/source/Pedicel_(botany)) that bear an individual flower are 0.7–1.2 cm long with small lance-shaped [bract](/source/bract)s. Each flower is 2.5–3.0 cm wide; when [bud](/source/bud)s, they are shaped between an [ellipsoid](/source/ellipsoid) and an imperfect [sphere](/source/sphere) and are not pointed at the end. The [sepal](/source/sepal)s are usually 0.3–0.6 cm long and 0.1–0.3 cm wide. They overlap one another, are of differing sizes even on one flower, and remain after the flower fruits. The shape of the sepals varies: they could look like a triangular lance or a flattened ellipse, and their ends can be blunt or pointed. The glands on the surface of the sepals are arranged in lines, and there are also dense glands along the edges.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}}
The [petal](/source/petal)s are golden yellow and lack a red tinge. They are 1.2–1.8 cm long and 0.5–0.8 cm wide, with the shape of an inverted lance. The [stamen](/source/stamen)s are bundled in [fascicles](/source/Fascicle_(botany)) of 20–30, the longest of which measure 1.2–1.8 cm long. The [ovary](/source/Ovary_(botany)) is oval-shaped with styles that are 0.5–1.0 cm long and [stigmas](/source/Stigma_(botany)) that end in a distinct narrow head. The [seed capsule](/source/Capsule_(fruit)) is 0.8–1.3 cm long and 0.7–1.0 cm wide, with a wide cylindrical shape and an end that is blunt or pointed. They start out somewhat fleshy but quickly dry out and eventually split open, though sometimes only partially. The seeds are yellow-brown and have wing shaped appendages.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}}
=== Similar species ===
''Hypericum foliosum'' is most similar in appearance to the other species in section ''[Androsaemum](/source/Hypericum_sect._Androsaemum)''. Most of its characteristics are between those of ''[H. grandifolium](/source/Hypericum_grandifolium)'' and ''[H. androsaemum](/source/Hypericum_androsaemum)'', except for its leaves which are narrower than either. It can be told apart from ''H. grandifolium'' by its denser flower clusters, smaller flowers, and shorter styles.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=301}} It is also highly similar to the hybrid ''[Hypericum × inodorum](/source/Hypericum_%C3%97_inodorum),'' but is differentiated by the shape of its sepals and seed capsules.{{Sfn|Robson|1968|p=261}}
=== Chemistry ===
Like many other ''Hypericum'' species, ''Hypericum foliosum'' has a diverse [essential oil](/source/essential_oil) profile, with volume per weight yields of around 0.10–0.25%. [Nonane](/source/Nonane) and [limonene](/source/limonene) were universally dominant in the plant's extracts. Other compounds like [terpinolene](/source/Terpinene), [caryophyllene](/source/caryophyllene), and [pinene](/source/pinene) sometimes can make up a significant percentage of the oil. In general, [monoterpene](/source/monoterpene) [hydrocarbon](/source/hydrocarbon)s are more common than [sesquiterpene](/source/sesquiterpene)s.{{Sfn|Santos|Figueiredo|Barroso|Pedro|1999|p=286}}
[Phenols](/source/Phenols) are a group of chemical compounds produced by plants that are common in medical products.{{Sfn|Scott|Cox|Njardarson|2022|p=7044}} In [extract](/source/extract) taken from the leaves of the plant, the main phenolic compounds are [caffeoylquinic acid](/source/caffeoylquinic_acid)s and [quercetin](/source/quercetin). The stems and roots lack quercetin, and the seed capsules contain neither.{{Sfn|Rainha|Lima|Baptista|Rodrigues|2011|p=1933}} Another chemical component of the plant are the [carotenoid](/source/carotenoid)s, which help create bright colors and aid in reproduction.{{Sfn|Rainha|Lima|Baptista|Rodrigues|2011|p=1933}} These compounds are found most densely in the leaves, stem, and bark; the roots, seeds, and flowers have much lower concentrations.{{Sfn|Rainha|Lima|Baptista|Rodrigues|2011|p=1933}}
== Taxonomy ==
{{cladogram|{{Clade|style=font-size:100%;line-height:100%;width:300px;
|label1="''Androsaemum''-group"
|1={{clade
|1=[sect. ''Arthrophyllum''](/source/Hypericum_sect._Arthrophyllum)
|2=[sect. ''Triadenioides''](/source/Hypericum_sect._Triadenoides)
|3={{clade
|label1=sect. ''Webbia''
|1=''[H. canariense](/source/Hypericum_canariense)''
|2={{clade
|label1=sect. ''Bupleuroides''
|1=''[H. bupleuroides](/source/Hypericum_bupleuroides)''
|label2= [sect. ''Androsaemum''](/source/Hypericum_sect._Androsaemum)
|2={{clade
|1=''[H. androsaemum](/source/Hypericum_androsaemum)''
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[H. hircinum](/source/Hypericum_hircinum)''
|2='''''H. foliosum'''''
}}
|2=''[H. grandifolium](/source/Hypericum_grandifolium)''
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}|caption=[Cladogram](/source/Cladogram) showing the [phylogeny](/source/phylogeny) and relationships of ''H. foliosum'' within the "''Androsaemum''-group" based on Meseguer et al. 2013{{sfn|Meseguer|Aldasoro|Sanmartín|2013|p=386}}|align=left}}The species was first [formally described](/source/Species_description) as ''Hypericum foliosum'' in 1789 in the botanical journal ''[Hortus Kewensis](/source/Hortus_Kewensis)'' by [William Aiton](/source/William_Aiton).[{{Cite POWO|id=433434-1|title=''Hypericum foliosum''|access-date=5 December 2023}}] In this original description, based on the [type specimen](/source/Type_(biology)) collected on [São Miguel](/source/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island) in 1777,{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}} Aiton noted the species' long petals and sharp calyx as differentiating characteristics.{{Sfn|Aiton|Bauer|Sowerby|Ehret|1789|p=104}} [Augustin Pyramus de Candolle](/source/Augustin_Pyramus_de_Candolle) followed Aiton's nomenclature in 1824,{{Sfn|de Candolle|1824–1873|p=544}} as did several other authors through the 19th century.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}}
[Norman Robson](/source/Norman_Robson_(botanist)) included the species in an assay of ''Hypericum'' as a contribution to the 1968 work ''[Flora Europaea](/source/Flora_Europaea).'' He further analyzed ''Hypericum foliosum'' in 1984 as a part of his [monograph](/source/monograph) of the genus.{{Sfn|Robson|1985|p=300}} A 2013 study used [Bayesian inference](/source/Bayesian_inference) to establish the [phylogeny](/source/Phylogenetic_tree) and close relations of ''Hypericum'' species. Section ''Androsaemum'', including ''Hypericum foliosum,'' was placed into an [Old World](/source/Old_World) taxon called the "''Androsaemum''-group" with several other sections. The study also determined that ''H. foliosum'' was most closely related to ''Hypericum hircinum''.{{sfn|Meseguer|Aldasoro|Sanmartín|2013|p=386}}
== Ecology ==
''Hypericum foliosum'' is [endemic](/source/Endemism) to the Azores Islands in the North Atlantic,[{{Cite web |title=Hypericum foliosum – Plant Parasites of Europe |url=https://bladmineerders.nl/host-plants/plantae/spermatopsida/angiosperma/eudicots/superrosids/rosids/fabids/malpighiales/hypericaceae/hypericum/hypericum-foliosum/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=bladmineerders.nl}}]
''H. foliosum'' is not directly endangered by competition with [invasive species](/source/invasive_species) or human actions;{{Sfn|Santos|Figueiredo|Barroso|Pedro|1999|p=283}} it was listed as [Least Concern](/source/Least-concern_species) by the [IUCN](/source/IUCN_Red_List) in 2016.