Hypericum, commonly known as St. John’s Wort, is a genus of plants prized for its bright yellow flowers and the decorative fruit that follows. The berries do not bloom; they are the result of the flower’s biological process, not a type of flower themselves. The plant’s life cycle moves quickly from a showy bloom to an equally ornamental fruit, which often causes confusion about the two stages. This plant adds multi-season interest to gardens due to its distinct stages of development.
How Flowers Become Berries
The development of the Hypericum berry is an example of the standard reproductive cycle in flowering plants. The flower serves as the reproductive structure, containing the necessary organs for sexual reproduction. Successful pollination, which transfers pollen from the stamen to the pistil, is the necessary first step in this process. After the pollen reaches the ovule, fertilization occurs within the flower’s ovary.
Following fertilization, the petals and other showy parts of the flower drop off. The ovary then begins to swell and mature, transforming into the fruit. In the case of Hypericum, this fruit is a capsule that contains the developing seeds. The berry is the final, matured stage of the structure that was once the bloom.
Characteristics of the Hypericum Bloom
The stage that does bloom is the golden yellow flower, which typically appears from early to mid-summer, often around the end of June. These showy blooms can measure between 1.5 and 2.5 centimeters across, making them a significant visual feature of the plant. A defining characteristic of the Hypericum flower is its structure, which features five bright yellow petals.
The flowers are particularly recognizable by the prominent, bushy cluster of golden-yellow stamens located in the center. These stamens are often much longer than the petals, giving the bloom a striking, fluffy appearance. In some species, the petals may also feature tiny black dots along the edges, adding a subtle detail to the bright color.
When and How Hypericum Berries Appear
The berries, which are technically capsular fruits, begin to develop immediately after the flowering stage concludes in mid-to-late summer. As the petals fall away, the ovary begins to expand, forming a small, rounded or elliptical structure at the tip of the stem. These fruits are initially pale green, providing a fresh, contrasting color against the foliage.
As the season progresses into late summer and early fall, the fruits ripen and undergo a color change. Depending on the cultivar, the berries can mature into shades of white, pink, vibrant red, orange, or deep mahogany brown. The stems are often harvested for use in autumnal floral arrangements, as the clusters of shiny, colorful fruits can last for several weeks, extending the plant’s decorative appeal.