Practical
Plants

Hypericum androsaemum

Tutsan

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Hypericum genus in the family Hypericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are diuretic, stomachic and vulnerary[10][5]. They have antiseptic properties and have been used to cover open wounds[9].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant[8]. Although it is clump forming rather than spreading it increases freely by self-sowing[5][7]. Plants are best spaced about 90cm apart each way[8].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Western and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to Algeria, W. Asia and the Caucasus.
Habitat
Damp woods and hedges[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10 - 12 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in the following spring[7] Careful division of old suckering shrubs in the dormant season.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in any reasonably good well-drained but moisture retentive soil[1]. Tolerates a wide range of pH[5]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[1] but flowers better in a sunny position[7]. Succeeds in dry shade and is drought tolerant when established[6]. Hardy to about -20°c, but if cut back by cold weather plants can resprout from the base[4]. Plants often self-sow freely[8]. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. The leaves are covered in pellucid dots which, when touched, release a resinous smell somewhat like goats[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  5. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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