About Hypericum maculatum Crantz
Hypericum maculatum Crantz is a hairless perennial herbaceous plant that reaches approximately 60 cm (24 in) in height. Its stem has a square cross-section, and lacks the prominent wings found on the stem of Hypericum tetrapterum. Its leaves are simple, undivided, arranged in opposite pairs, and grow without stipules; they have few or no translucent glands. Black dots may be present on the plant's leaves, petals, and sepals. The flowers are yellow, and measure up to around 25 mm (0.98 in) across. This species hybridizes with Hypericum perforatum to create Des Etang's St John's wort, Hypericum x desetangsii. It is classified as a medicinal plant. In traditional Austrian medicine, the herb of Hypericum maculatum is used internally as tea or an oil extract, and externally as an oil extract, ointment, or cold ethanol maceration. It is used to treat disorders affecting the skin, locomotor system, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, kidneys and urinary tract, cardiovascular system, as well as infections, rheumatism, and gout.
