Family - Hypericaceae

Stems - Woody, multiple from the base, branching, erect, to 2m tall, with shredding bark.

Mature stem.

Leaves - Opposite, sessile, oblong to lance-oblong, dark green above, lighter green below, glabrous, decussate, entire, with minute whitish tip, with single prominent midrib, to +3cm long, +/-1cm broad.

Inflorescence - Single axillary flowers on new seasons growth. Flowers sessile or on short pedicels to 5mm long.

Flowers - Petals 5, yellow, distinct, to +/-1.5cm long, 7mm broad, glabrous, oblong to narrowly obovate, rounded at apex. Stamens many, (+100), erect. Filaments yellow, 8-9mm long, glabrous. Anthers yellow, .6mm broad. Style 4-5mm long, glabrous. Ovary superior, ovoid, glabrous, pale greenish-yellow, 4mm long, 2mm in diameter, 3-locular. Placentation axile, ovules(seeds) many. Sepals 5, unequal, to 6mm long, +/-3mm broad, glabrous, acute, spreading to slightly recurved.

Calyx.

Mature fruit.

Flowering - June - September.

Habitat - Rocky open ground, streambanks, bluffs, wooded slopes, low moist ground, also cultivated.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This species grows wild throughout the majority of Missouri, excluding the northwest corner of the state. The plant is also becoming more popular in cultivation.
H. spathulatum is easy to identify becasue of its pom-pom like flowers, shrubby habit, opposite leaves, and shredding bark.

Photographs taken at Logan Creek, Reynolds County, MO., 7-3-04.