Welcome to Catnapin's

Yellow and Orange Wildflower Gallery

Miscellaneous 4 Petal Flowers

Clusiaceae (Guttiferae, Hypericaceae) - St. John's Wort family

St. Andrew's Cross (St. Peter's Wort) Hypericum hypericoides ssp. hypericoides (Ascyrum hypericoides)

Yellow flower with 4 narrow petals, looks like cross or "X", and has numerous stamen.  Rust colored husk of fruit look like dead leaves.  Opposite leaves to 1/2" long with smaller leaves in axils.  Has a clear resinous sap.  Leaves have oil/resin glands (translucent or black dots when held up to light).  Sap can cause photosensitivity and skin sensitivity: swelling, blistering, lesions, and death.  Bush grows to 3 feet tall.  Likes sandy soil.

Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006

(Native of Texas)

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