Hypericum lloydii, known as Lloyd's St. John's-wort[4][5][6] or sandhill St. John's-wort,[5][6][3] is a species of flowering plant in the St. John's wort family Hypericaceae. It is native to the Southeastern United States, where it is endemic to the Piedmont and inner Coastal Plain from southern Virginia south to Alabama.[4][5][6][2]
| Hypericum lloydii | |
|---|---|
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| Hypericum lloydii in bloom | |
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| Close-up of flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Hypericaceae |
| Genus: | Hypericum |
| Species: | H. lloydii |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypericum lloydii (Svenson) W.P.Adams | |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
|
Hypericum galioides var. lloydii Svenson | |
Description
editHypericum lloydii is a low, straggling, mat-forming deciduous shrub. It grows as rounded clumps or mats, with decumbent stems that may root where they contact the ground.[3]
The stems are initially lined, later becoming more rounded.[3] The leaves are narrow and needle-like to awl-shaped. They have revolute margins and rounded to slightly notched tips.[3] Additional leaves may develop in the axils, sometimes making the foliage appear whorled.[5]
The inflorescences are usually few-flowered, with bright yellow, five-petaled flowers borne mostly near the ends of branches, though flowers may also occur from the leaf axils.[3][5] The petals are golden yellow and the stamens are numerous.[3] The fruit is a small ovoid capsule.[3] It blooms and fruits from June to September.[5]
Distribution and habitat
editHypericum lloydii is endemic to the southeastern United States. Its range is centered along the Atlantic Coast Fall Line and extends from southern Virginia to Alabama, covering only a few dozen counties, mostly in the Carolinas.[5][6] Flora of North America reports it from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Its habitat includes dry pine woods, woodland borders, pine-oak forest margins, granite outcrops, dry roadside embankments, and sandy margins of granitic flatrocks.[3][4][5][6] It occurs at elevations of about 100–300 m (330–980 ft).[3] Although one of its common names is sandhill St. John's-wort, the species is reportedly not as numerous in sandhill forest types as might be expected.[5]
Identification
editHypericum lloydii is one of several low, decumbent, needle-leaved species of Hypericum. It can be recognized by its low, matted habit, narrow leaves, and yellow flowers.[3][5] It differs from the related Hypericum galioides by its growth form, leaf shape, and preference for drier habitats.[3] Other similar low-growing, needle-leaved species of Hypericum in the region are generally plants of Coastal Plain wetlands, while H. lloydii is associated with drier upland habitats.[4][5] When not in flower, it may be confused with other needle-leaved plants of dry habitats, such as Phlox nivalis.[5]
Taxonomy
editThe species was first described as Hypericum galioides var. lloydii by Henry Knute Svenson in 1952. It was raised to species rank by W. P. Adams in 1962.[7][3] Plants of the World Online accepts Hypericum lloydii and treats H. galioides var. lloydii as a homotypic synonym.[2]
Conservation
editNatureServe ranks Hypericum lloydii as G4?, or apparently secure with uncertainty, and notes that the global rank needs review.[1] NatureServe lists state conservation ranks of S1 in Alabama, S3 in Georgia, S3? in North Carolina, S4 in South Carolina, and SH in Virginia.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 3 "Hypericum lloydii". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Hypericum lloydii (Svenson) P.B.Adams". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Hypericum lloydii". Flora of North America. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Hypericum lloydii (Lloyd's St. John's-wort)". Flora of the Southeastern United States. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Account for Lloyd's St. John's-wort - Hypericum lloydii". Vascular Plants of North Carolina. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Hypericum lloydii (Svenson) P. Adams". Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora. Virginia Botanical Associates. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hypericum lloydii (Svenson) W.P.Adams". International Plant Names Index. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
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