Pineland St. Johnswort

Hypericum suffruticosum

Native to:
United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Hypericaceae
Genus:
Hypericum
Species:
Hypericum suffruticosum
USDA Symbol:
HYSU2

Growth Characteristics

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

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Coleotechnites nigritus

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; common in fire-maintained pine savannas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to sandy, open habitats; prefers poor soil

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI