Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum
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Family: Hypericaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum is a non-native California perennial in the Hypericaceae family, recognized by small flowers with few stamens in limited range.
St. johns wort is a naturalized perennial herb found in the Sacramento Valley and adjacent northern Sierra Nevada foothills in streambanks and riparian woodland at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small yellow flowers about 2 millimeters long with 6 to 12 stamens. Growing with erect or diffuse-branched stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, it spreads with multiple branches from the mid-stem or lower portions. Its leaves are gland-dotted, ranging from elliptic to ovate below the flower clusters, with upper leaves becoming progressively narrower and more linear. The fruit is an oblong capsule approximately 4 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; diagnostic small flowers with few stamens in limited range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, riparian woodland
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Butte, Tehama, Sacramento, Placer
Outside California: native to eastern North America
Bloom period
Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Euphorbia: Euphorbia has milky sap and tiny flowers in cups; Hypericum has clear sap and showy yellow flowers.; vs Lysimachia: Lysimachia has stamens separate, not bundled; Hypericum's stamens cluster into 3-5 distinct bunches.; vs Lonicera: Lonicera is a woody vine or shrub; Hypericum is herbaceous with opposite leaves.; vs Dendromecon: Dendromecon is a woody shrub with 4 petals; Hypericum is herbaceous with 5 petals.; vs Mentzelia: Mentzelia has rough, sandpapery leaves; Hypericum has smooth leaves with translucent dots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum native to California?
No. Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum bloom?
Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum grow?
Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum occurs in Butte, Tehama, Sacramento, Placer, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum belong to?
Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum is in the Hypericaceae family, genus Hypericum.
What habitat does Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum grow in?
Hypericum mutilum subsp. mutilum grows in Streambanks, riparian woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.