Aaron's Beard
Hypericum calycinum
Also known as Jerusalem Star, this low-growing shrub grows in Mediterranean climates. It is a semi-evergreen garden shrub that produces yellow five-petaled flowers.
Hypericum calycinum
Also known as Jerusalem Star, this low-growing shrub grows in Mediterranean climates. It is a semi-evergreen garden shrub that produces yellow five-petaled flowers.
About Aaron's Beard
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/FullImageDisplay.aspx?documentid=17421 |
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In Depth...
Growth
-About 1m tall
-1-2m wide
-Growth rate: rapid
-Density: thick
Foliage/Flowers
-Leaf color: green
-Leaves are ovate, growing in opposite pairs
-Flower color: canary yellow
-Flower size: 3-5cm in diameter
-5 petals with multiple yellow stamens
-Flowers are showy
http://hvp.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/hy_cinum.html
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/hyca0.htm
-About 1m tall
-1-2m wide
-Growth rate: rapid
-Density: thick
Foliage/Flowers
-Leaf color: green
-Leaves are ovate, growing in opposite pairs
-Flower color: canary yellow
-Flower size: 3-5cm in diameter
-5 petals with multiple yellow stamens
-Flowers are showy
http://hvp.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/hy_cinum.html
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/hyca0.htm
Ethnobotany
Hypericum Calycinum is known to be one of the "finest ground covers" according to Allan Armitage. It is a low, creeping shrub that originated from Southeast Europe and Southwest Asia. This shrub is used in various types of gardens, such as rock gardens. It is widely cultivated for its large, beautiful, yellow flowers.
Hypericum Calycinum is also very good for stabilizing hillsides because of it's size. Hypericum Calycinum also works nicely when it is planted under trees because it competes well with tree roots that are shallow. In addition it is able to produce medicinally active ingredients such as hypericin, pseudohypericin, protohypericin and hyperforin.
Hypericum Calycinum is also very good for stabilizing hillsides because of it's size. Hypericum Calycinum also works nicely when it is planted under trees because it competes well with tree roots that are shallow. In addition it is able to produce medicinally active ingredients such as hypericin, pseudohypericin, protohypericin and hyperforin.
Current Research
Studies show that Hypericum Calycinum's flower which is yellow, has a UV pattern visible to insects. There are two sections of these pigments which are responsible for the demarcations of the flower. One section is DIPs, which stands for dearomatized isoprenylated phloroglucinols.
It was discovered that the DIPs were present in high concentration in the wall of the flower which could suggest that the compounds serve in defense. Feeding tests were done with one of the DIPs and revealed that the compound was toxic to a caterpillar. It is possible that floral UV pigments fulfill a visual and defensive function that hadn't been discovered. They may also serve for protection of female reproductive structures in other plants.
In another study, it is revealed that twelve mineral elements were found in the herbs and infusions that were used for medicinal purposes in various different plants; one of them being St. John's Wort. Dry and wet digestion procedures were done for total concentration and infusion. The result of total concentration of the elements within the herb leaves show that all of the herbs contain most of the elements.
It was discovered that the DIPs were present in high concentration in the wall of the flower which could suggest that the compounds serve in defense. Feeding tests were done with one of the DIPs and revealed that the compound was toxic to a caterpillar. It is possible that floral UV pigments fulfill a visual and defensive function that hadn't been discovered. They may also serve for protection of female reproductive structures in other plants.
In another study, it is revealed that twelve mineral elements were found in the herbs and infusions that were used for medicinal purposes in various different plants; one of them being St. John's Wort. Dry and wet digestion procedures were done for total concentration and infusion. The result of total concentration of the elements within the herb leaves show that all of the herbs contain most of the elements.
Creative Essay
I have learned the Hypericum Calycinum is a low growing shrub with exotic-looking yellow flowers. It is known as many names such as Aaron's Beard, Great St. John Wort, Rose of Sharon and Jerusalem Star depending on its location and whether the shrub or flower is specifically being acknowledged; but generally it is most commonly known as Great St. John Wort. Considering I find most shrubs simple, plain and not the most amusing; Hypericum Calycinum does stand out as a much more attractive type of shrub. Although the flowers are largely outnumbered by their pairs of leaves, I love how bright and exotic looking they are. They completely take away from the common plain green bush most people would picture when they hear the word "shrub". If I had to cover a ground area in my yard with any type of bush, shrub, or small tree, I would gladly plant Aaron's Beard.
Apa/Sources used
Gronquist, M; Eisner, M; Eisner, T; Meinwald, J; Bezzerides, A; Attygalle, A. (2011, November 20). Attractive and defensive functions of the ultraviolet pigment of a flower (Hypericum Calycinum). Proceedings of the national academy of the sciences of the United States, p, 13745-13750. Retrieved from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a520
Pytlakowska, K; Powniak, M; Kozik, V; Kita, A; Janoska, P. (2012, November 15). Multi element analysis of mineral and trace elements in medicinal herbs and their infusions. Science direct. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814612008230
Pytlakowska, K; Powniak, M; Kozik, V; Kita, A; Janoska, P. (2012, November 15). Multi element analysis of mineral and trace elements in medicinal herbs and their infusions. Science direct. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814612008230