Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board
This web site will help you identify & control noxious weeds. Conventional & biological control
(BioControl) information and photographs  are here. Maps & related information are included.

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St. Johnswort
Hypericum perforatum L.                 
St. Johnswort family

Key identifying traits

  • Yellow ¾ inch in diameter flowers with 5 petals and many stamens
  • Flowers are numerous in flat-topped clusters
  • Leaves are opposite, not over 1 inch long and oblong, with prominent veins and tiny transparent dots visible when held up to a light source
  • Stems are erect, many branched 1 to 3 feet tall
  • Mature plants turn a rusty red color and remain standing all winter

Biology and ecology

  • Perennial from both seeds and short rhizomes
  • Contains a substance causing photosensitivity and irritation or sunburn in light skinned animals when exposed to strong sunlight, seldom fatal
  • Current and historic use as a herbal medicine
  • Flowers in early summer and turns rusty red color soon afterwards

Control

Prevention – Learn to identify plants; know your property; beware of fill dirt, hay and seed from outside your area

Biological Well established in area and cyclically effective since early 1950’s; some newer biocontrols have been introduced which may even out cycles

Cultural – Good vegetative cover lessens likelihood of initial infestation

Mechanical – Regular tillage is effective but pulling and cutting are only marginally effective due to being a perennial plant with rhizomes

Chemical – Some effective at label rates if timing is right and re-growth is treated as necessary; refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical recommendations


flowering bush


"holes" in the leaf


flowers


infestation in the fall-turns a rusty red color


Where found –
Widely distributed in Stevens County on all types of non-aquatic sites with dense stands found on well drained, sunny sites.

MSdoc     pdf

 

weedboard@co.stevens.wa.us
Last Edit: December 01, 2011
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