Smoothbark St. Johnswort

Hypericum lissophloeus

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Hypericaceae
Genus:
Hypericum
Species:
Hypericum lissophloeus
USDA Symbol:
HYLI4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Subshrub
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
yellow
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock following fire; historically maintained by periodic burning in wet pine flatwoods.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
native to wet, sandy soils in Florida

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI