Hypericum olympicum

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the St John's wort family}} {{Speciesbox | name = Mount Olympus St. John's wort | image = Hypericum olympicum Dziurawiec olimpijski 01.jpg | image_alt = In Wrocław University Botanical Garden, Poland | image_caption = Cultivated flower at the University of Wrocław Botanical Garden, Poland | image2 = Hypericum olympicum Liberec 1.jpg | image2_alt = In Botanical Garden Liberec, Czech Republic | image2_caption = Whole of the flowering plant in the Botanical Garden Liberec, Czech Republic | genus = Hypericum | parent = Hypericum sect. Olympia | species = olympicum | authority = L. (1753) | subdivision_ranks = Forms | subdivision = * ''H. olympicum'' f. ''minus'' Hausskn. * ''H. olympicum'' f. ''olympicum'' * ''H. olympicum'' f. ''tenuifolium'' (D. Jord & Kož.) N. Robson * ''H. olympicum'' f. ''uniflorum'' Boiss. & Balansa | synonyms = * ''Androsaemum adenophyllum'' K.Koch * ''Hypericum adenophyllum'' Ledeb. * ''Hypericum dimoniei'' Velen. * ''Olympia glauca'' Spach | synonyms_ref = <ref name="TPL">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2858623|title=Hypericum olympicum L. — The Plant List|website=www.theplantlist.org|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> }} '''''Hypericum olympicum''''', commonly known as the '''Mount Olympus St. John's wort''',<ref name=":5"/><ref group="Note">Also less commonly called '''Olympic St. John's wort'''</ref> is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae found in the Balkans and Turkey and introduced to western Europe. It has been widely cultivated for centuries because of its large, showy flowers, which are far larger than those of most other species in ''Hypericum.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/hypericum-olympicum.php|title=Hypericum olympicum - habitat and identification guide|website=www.first-nature.com|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref>

== Taxonomy == ''H. olympicum'' was first described in Carolus Linnaeus's ''Species Plantarum'' in 1753.<ref name="TPL"/>

=== Chemotaxonomy === ''H. olympicum'' contains both hypericin and pseudohypericin, a trait shared in the ''Olympia'' group and sections ''Adenosepalum'' and ''Hypericum,'' which would suggest that the species is more closely related to species in those sections than in other more primitive sections.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kitanov|first=Gerassim M|date=2001|title=Hypericin and pseudohypericin in some Hypericum species|journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology|volume=29|issue=2|pages=171–178|doi=10.1016/s0305-1978(00)00032-6|issn=0305-1978|pmid=11106845|bibcode=2001BioSE..29..171K }}</ref>

=== Infraspecifics === There are eight accepted infraspecifics of ''H. olympicum'', three of which are varieties and five of which are forms. These generally have very little variance from the type of the species, but can have some minor unique features.<ref name=":2" /> {| class="wikitable" |- !Varieties !Authority !Differentiating Features !Reference |- |''H. olympicum'' var. ''latifolium'' |Stef. |Smaller flowers and leaves |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hortuscamden.com/plants/view/hypericum_olympicum_l|title=Hortus Camdenensis {{!}} Hypericum olympicum L.|website=hortuscamden.com|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> |- |''H. olympicum'' var. ''minus'' |Heldr. ''ex'' Degen | |<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:433682-1|title=Hypericum olympicum L. {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science|website=Plants of the World Online|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> |- |''H. olympicum'' var. ''olympicum'' | | |<ref name=":3" /> |- !Forms !Authority ! !Reference |- |''H. olympicum'' f. ''macrocalyx'' |(Velen.) N. Robson | |<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gbif.org/species/8021567|title=Hypericum olympicum L.|website=www.gbif.org|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> |- |''H. olympicum'' f. ''minor'' |Hausskn. | |<ref name=":2" /> |- |''H. olympicum'' f. ''olympicum'' | | |<ref name=":2" /> |- |''H. olympicum'' f. ''tenuifolium'' |(D. Jord & Kož.) N. Robson | |<ref name=":3" /> |- |''H. olympicum'' f. ''uniflorum'' |Boiss. & Balansa | |<ref name=":3" /> |}

== Description == The species is a shrub or subshrub that grows to be {{Convert|0.1-0.55|m|ft|abbr=}} tall. It can grow in an erect to decumbent manner, or rarely prostrate. It can have few to numerous stems, and it is caespitose, occasionally rooting, and unbranched below its flowers. The stems' internodes are {{Convert|5-15|mm|in|abbr=}} long, and can be either short or longer than the leaves.<ref name=":7" />

The leaves are spreading to erect, and are more or less glaucous, and are {{Convert|5-30 x 2-12|mm|in|abbr=}} in size. They are elliptic or rarely lanceolate-elliptic, are concolorous and thinly coriaceous. Their apex is acute to subacute or rounded-obtuse, with a rounded or cuneate base. They have 0-3 pairs of lateral veins and are unbranched (at least visibly). The laminar glands are pale and not prominent, and the intramarginal glands are black, small, and few in number.<ref name=":7" />

The plant is usually 1–5 flowered, but can have up to nine flowers that grow from three nodes, and rarely from one lower node. Their pedicels are {{Convert|2–4|mm|in|abbr=}} long and rather stout. The bracts are reduced-foliar, are broadly imbricate, and lack black glands, and the bracteoles are similar but smaller in size. The flowers are {{Convert|30–65|mm|in|abbr=}} in diameter, and their buds are ovoid-pyramidal and rounded. The sepals are either unequal or subequal, are broadly imbricate, and are paler than the leaves. They are {{Convert|6–16 × 3–12|mm|in|abbr=}}, and are broadly ovate to lanceolate, and have a rounded base. They are entire, large, pointed, and persistent in fruit.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.beanstreesandshrubs.org/browse/hypericum/hypericum-olympicum-l/|title=Bean's Trees and Shrubs|website=www.beanstreesandshrubs.org|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> They have 9–15 veins that are branching. Their laminar glands are pale and linear, and there are sometimes a few that are black and punctiform. Their marginal glands are normally absent, but there can rarely be one or two black apical ones. Their petals are golden or pale yellow, and can have a tinge or lines of red. They are {{Convert|15–30 × 8–12|mm|in|abbr=}}, and there are around 2 times as many of them as sepals. They are rounded and their apiculus is short, and they are acute to obtuse. Their laminar glands are pale and linear, and their marginal glands are absent or black, and there are one to around seven of them. There are around 65–125 (0.9 times as many sepals) stamens that are {{Convert|14–25|mm|in|abbr=}} long. The ovaries are {{Convert|3 × 2.5|mm|in|abbr=}} and are broadly ovoid, the styles are {{Convert|18–23|mm|in|abbr=}} and there are six to eight times as many as the ovaries.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=ŁOTOCKA|first1=BARBARA|last2=OSIŃSKA|first2=EWA|date=2010|title=Shoot anatomy and secretory structures in Hypericum species (Hypericaceae)|journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society|volume=163|issue=1|pages=70–86|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2010.01046.x|issn=0024-4074|doi-access=free}}</ref>

The seed capsule is {{Convert|5–10 × 4–8|mm|in|abbr=}} and is shorter than the sepals, and is shaped broadly oval-like to spherical. The seeds are a dark brown color, and are around {{Convert|1.8|mm|in|abbr=}} with shallow testa.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last=Robson|first=NORMAN K. B.|date=2013-05-14|title=Studies in the genus ''Hypericum'' L. (Hypericaceae) 5(1). Sections 10. ''Olympia'' to 15/16. ''Crossophyllum''|journal=Phytotaxa|volume=4|issue=1|pages=5|doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.4.1.2|issn=1179-3163}}</ref>

=== Similar species === ''Hypericum olympicum'' is very similar in appearance to ''Hypericum polyphyllum'', but there are many key differences to tell them apart. Most reliably, the leaves of ''H. olympicum'' are far less glandular, with at most one irregular line of glands, whereas the leaves of ''H. polyphyllum'' always have a full regular row and many scattered glands. In addition, whereas the sepals of ''H. olympicum'' are almost always undotted, the sepals of ''H. polyphyllum'' are usually dotted all over with black glands. Lastly, since ''H. polyphyllum'' is not cultivated, if the plant is in cultivation or shows cultivated characteristics, it is most likely ''H. olympicum''.<ref name=":4" />

== Distribution and habitat == The species is native to Southeastern Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (excluding Crete and western Aegean islands), and northwestern Turkey.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://hypericum.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/743|title=Nomenclature {{!}} Hypericum online|website=hypericum.myspecies.info|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref name="grin">{{GRIN|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> The species was first introduced to England in 1676 by Sir George Wheeler from seeds found in Turkey, and it was cultivated at the Oxford Botanical Garden.<ref name=":4" /> The species has also been recorded as establishing itself in Belgium and France, where it is considered an invasive species.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alienplantsbelgium.be/content/hypericum-olympicum#|title=Hypericum olympicum {{!}} Manual of the Alien Plants of Belgium|website=alienplantsbelgium.be|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

It can be found in sandy, stony, and sometimes grassy places or among rocks in open ground, or in pine woodland at elevations of 0 to {{Convert|2000|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0" />

== Cultivation == thumb|The RHS Award of Garden Merit Because of its large, showy flowers, relative hardiness, and dense shape, the species is valued among gardeners, specifically in the United Kingdom. It has been noted for these properties and won several awards, including in 1930, under the incorrect name of ''H. fragile'', winning the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1003|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Hypericum olympicum''|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=19 May 2013}}</ref> While the species is not at all harmful to humans, it can be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and should be planted away from such animals.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/hypericum-olympicum/|title=Hypericum olympicum|website=Gardeners' World Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref>

It can be grown in chalk, clay, sand, or loam, and requires moist ground, but with sharp drainage. As it requires sharp drainage to prevent winter rot, it is a suitable subject for the rockery or alpine garden.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/405.shtml ''Hypericum olympicum''.] Plant Finder. BBC.</ref> The species requires pH to be between 6.1 and 7.8, which means it can tolerate both mildly acidic and mildly alkaline conditions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/134437/|title=PlantFiles: Hypericum Species, St. John's Wort, St. Johnswort|website=Dave's Garden|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> The plant usually takes 5–10 years to reach its full height, but much less than that to reach maturity.<ref name=":5" />

The species should be planted in May or June, will flower from June to August, and cuttings should be taken from May to July.<ref name=":6" /> {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" |+Hardiness<ref name=":1" /> !Hardiness Zone !Lowest Temperature |- |5a |<nowiki>-28.8 °C (-20 °F)</nowiki> |- |5b |<nowiki>-26.1 °C (-15 °F)</nowiki> |- |6a |<nowiki>-23.3 °C (-10 °F)</nowiki> |- |6b |<nowiki>-20.5 °C (-5 °F)</nowiki> |- |7a |<nowiki>-17.7 °C (0 °F)</nowiki> |- |7b |<nowiki>-14.9 °C (5 °F)</nowiki> |- |8a |<nowiki>-12.2 °C (10 °F)</nowiki> |- |8b |<nowiki>-9.4 °C (15 °F)</nowiki> |}

=== Cultivars === There are several cultivated forms of ''H. olympicum'', with ''H. olympicum'' 'Citrinum' being by far the best known. So-called because of its lemon-colored petals, it is often the plant that is found in home or botanical gardens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/hypericum-olympicum-f-uniflorum-citrinum|title=Hypericum olympicum f. uniflorum 'Citrinum' St John's wort Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice|website=www.shootgardening.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-06-03}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Infraspecific !Cultivar Name !Unique Features !Reference |- |''Hypericum olympicum'' f. ''uniflorum'' |'Citrinum' |Lemon-colored flowers, larger flower size |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.farreachesfarm.com/product-p/p5790.htm|title=Hypericum olympicum f. uniflorum 'Citrinum'|website=Far Reaches Farm|language=en|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref> |- |''Hypericum olympicum'' |'Sulphureum' |Lance shaped leaves |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hardysplants.co.uk/perennials/hypericum-olympicum-sulphureum|title=olympicum 'Sulphureum'|website=www.hardysplants.co.uk|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref> |- |''Hypericum olympicum'' f. ''minus'' |'Variegatum' |Leaves variegated when new |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/hypericum-olympicum-f-minus-variegatum|title=Hypericum olympicum f. minus 'Variegatum' Dwarf St John's Wort Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice|website=www.shootgardening.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-06-03}}</ref> |}

== Uses ==

=== Folk medicine === ''H. olympicum'' f. ''olympicum'' is used alongside other ''Hypericum'' species in parts of rural Turkey as traditional folk medicine. Typically, its flowers are harvested and used to treat stomach aches, cuts, and burns.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Akbulut|first1=Sefa|last2=Özkan|first2=Zafer Cemal|last3=Kalankan|first3=Gökçe|date=2017-12-20|title=Some Plants and Their Effects Used in Traditional Treatment of Diseases at Çorum Province in Turkey|journal=International Journal of Secondary Metabolite|pages=330–339|doi=10.21448/ijsm.373823|issn=2148-6905|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Essential oils === ''H. olympicum'' contains numerous essential oil compounds, with the main components being (''E'')‐anethole (used as an aromatic substance), β‐farnesene (used as a constituent to essential oils), and spathulenol.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gudžić|first1=Branislav|last2=Dordević|first2=Siniša|last3=Palić|first3=Radosav|last4=Stojanović|first4=Gordana|date=2001|title=Essential oils of Hypericum olympicum L. and Hypericum perforatum L.|journal=Flavour and Fragrance Journal|language=en|volume=16|issue=3|pages=201–203|doi=10.1002/ffj.978|issn=0882-5734}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|last1=Pavlović|first1=M.|last2=Tzakou|first2=O.|last3=Petrakis|first3=P. V.|last4=Couladis|first4=M.|year=2005|date=2005-06-29|title=The essential oil of Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum tetrapterum Fries and Hypericum olympicum L. growing in Greece|url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ffj.1521|journal=Flavour and Fragrance Journal|language=en|volume=21|issue=1|pages=84–87|doi=10.1002/ffj.1521|issn=0882-5734|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Other components included germacrene D and (''E'')‐caryophyllene,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Pavlović|first1=M.|last2=Tzakou|first2=O.|last3=Petrakis|first3=P. V.|last4=Couladis|first4=M.|year=2006|title=The essential oil of Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum tetrapterum Fries and Hypericum olympicum L. growing in Greece|journal=Flavour and Fragrance Journal|language=en|volume=21|issue=1|pages=84–87|doi=10.1002/ffj.1521|issn=0882-5734}}</ref> as well as an unusually high amount of terpenes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Smelcerovic|first1=Andrija|last2=Spiteller|first2=Michael|last3=Ligon|first3=Axel Patrick|last4=Smelcerovic|first4=Zaklina|last5=Raabe|first5=Nils|date=2007|title=Essential oil composition of Hypericum L. species from Southeastern Serbia and their chemotaxonomy|journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology|volume=35|issue=2|pages=99–113|doi=10.1016/j.bse.2006.09.012|bibcode=2007BioSE..35...99S |issn=0305-1978}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+Essential oil components by relative percentage<ref name=":8" /> !Sample !Alkanes !Monoterpene hydrocarbons !Oxygenated monoterpenes !Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons !Oxygenated sesquiterpenes !Others |- |''H. olympicum'' |8.2 |5.9 |4.7 |47.9 |13.2 |7.3 |- |''H. perforatum'' |18.0 |31.6 |3.0 |35.2 |43.6 | - |- |''H. tetrapterum'' |21.9 |''trace'' |''trace'' |43.6 |19.5 |1.0 |}

=== Antimicrobial === While as of 2019 extracts from the species are not currently used as antibacterials, they do contain antibacterial properties. Specifically, the plant contains new types of acylphloroglucinol that have been given the name olympicin after the species' name.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Shiu|first1=Winnie K. P.|last2=Rahman|first2=M. Mukhlesur|last3=Curry|first3=Jonathan|last4=Stapleton|first4=Paul|last5=Zloh|first5=Mire|last6=Malkinson|first6=John P.|last7=Gibbons|first7=Simon|date=2011-09-07|title=Antibacterial Acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum olympicum|journal=Journal of Natural Products|volume=75|issue=3|pages=336–343|doi=10.1021/np2003319|pmid=21899267|issn=0163-3864}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Radulović|first1=Niko|last2=Stankov-Jovanović|first2=Vesna|last3=Stojanović|first3=Gordana|last4=Šmelcerović|first4=Andrija|last5=Spiteller|first5=Michael|last6=Asakawa|first6=Yoshinori|date=2007|title=Screening of in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of nine Hypericum species from the Balkans|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.05.062|journal=Food Chemistry|volume=103|issue=1|pages=15–21|doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.05.062|issn=0308-8146|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

=== Antidepressant === Similarly, as of 2019, ''H. olympicum'' is not widely used as an antidepressant in the way that ''Hypericum perforatum'' is, but it has been shown to have many similar or better antidepressant properties. Specifically, the amentoflavone in ''H. olympicum'' was shown to have previously unstudied antidepressant capabilities.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=H. Baureithel|first1=Karl|last2=Büter|first2=Karin Berger|last3=Engesser|first3=Anja|last4=Burkard|first4=Willy|last5=Schaffner|first5=Willi|date=1997|title=Inhibition of benzodiazepine binding in vitro by amentoflavone, a constituent of various species of Hypericum|journal=Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae|volume=72|issue=3|pages=153–157|doi=10.1016/s0031-6865(97)00002-2|pmid=9204773|issn=0031-6865}}</ref>

=== Anticancer === ''H. olympicum'' has been studied alongside other ''Hypericum'' species for their ability to suppress the growth of cancer in several ways. The species has been shown to have minor antigrowth effects on certain types of lung cancer, slowing the replication of cancerous cells in a laboratory setting. It has also been shown to help induce apoptosis in damaged cells because of the genotoxic properties of some of its chemical constituents. The species has not had any of its extracts approved for anticancer regimens.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Aztopal|first1=Nazlihan|last2=Erkisa|first2=Merve|last3=Celikler|first3=Serap|last4=Ulukaya|first4=Engin|last5=Ari|first5=Ferda|date=2016-02-08|title=Antigrowth and Apoptosis Inducing Effects ofHypericum Olympicum L. andHypericum AdenotrichumSpach. on Lung Cancer CellsIn Vitro: Involvement of DNA Damage|journal=Journal of Food Biochemistry|volume=40|issue=4|pages=559–566|doi=10.1111/jfbc.12248|issn=0145-8884|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Antioxidant === ''H. olympicum'' contains a smaller amount of flavonoids and tannins than other ''Hypericum'' species, but still displays significant antioxidizing capabilities, which suggests there are significant amounts of other undetected compounds in the plant.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Zheleva-Dimitrova|first1=Dimitrina|last2=Nedialkov|first2=Paraskev|last3=Kitanov|first3=Gerassim|date=2010|title=Radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts fromHypericumspecies growing in Bulgaria|journal=Pharmacognosy Magazine|volume=6|issue=22|pages=74–8|doi=10.4103/0973-1296.62889|pmc=2900065|issn=0973-1296|pmid=20668569 |doi-access=free }}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+Antioxidants compared to ''H. perforatum'' !Sample !DPPH% !ABTS% !'''FRAP μM TE/g dw''' |- | ''H. olympicum'' | 58.8 ± 0.1 | 57.9 ± 0.1 | 89.9 ± 0.2 |- | ''H. perforatum'' | 77.6 ± 0.5 | 81.2 ± 0.4 | 32.4 ± 0.5 |}

== Gallery == <gallery mode="nolines" heights="120"> File:Hypericum olympicum 2016-09-10 4339.jpg|Young plant File:Hypericum olympicum L. (AM AK298043-4).jpg|Beginning to flower File:National Botanic Garden,Dublin,Ireland - panoramio (27).jpg|In full bloom File:Hypericum adenophyllum-IMG 4797.jpg|Full bloom detail File:Hypericum olympicum 2015-07-01 4026.jpg|Flower detail File:Hypericum olympicum 2016-09-10 4338b.jpg|In fruit </gallery>

== Notes == {{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Hypericum olympicum-article.ogg|date=2020-10-31}} * {{Commons category-inline}} * {{Wikispecies-inline}}

olympicum Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Flora of Bulgaria Category:Flora of Greece Category:Flora of Turkey Category:Flora of Syria Category:Flora of Albania Category:Flora of North Macedonia Category:Flora of Montenegro Category:Flora of Serbia