ST. JOHN'S-WORT.
Hypericum concinnum, Benth. St. John's-wort Family.
Stems.—Three to eighteen inches high; branching from a woody base. Leaves.—Opposite; often in four ranks; linear to oblong; six lines to an inch or more long; usually folded; translucently dotted. Flowers.—Golden yellow; over an inch across. Sepals.—Five. Petals.—Five; margins black-dotted. Stamens.—Numerous; in three bunches. Ovary.—Usually three-celled. Styles three. Hab.—Central California.
Just as spring is merging into summer, we may look for the bright golden flowers of our common St. John's-wort. The numerous stamens give these blossoms a feathery appearance, and the leaves often group themselves characteristically in four ranks upon the stems.
All the plants of the genus are known as St. John's-wort, because certain of the species were supposed to flower upon the anniversary of this saint. Perhaps there are no other plants around which tradition has thrown such a glamour. Mr. Dyer says, in his interesting book, "The Folk-Lore of Plants," that the St. John's-wort was supposed to be an excellent amulet against lightning, and that it had the magic property of revealing the presence of witches; whence in Germany it was extensively worn on St. John's Eve, when the air was supposed to be peopled with witches and evil spirits, who wandered abroad upon no friendly errands. In Denmark it is resorted to by anxious lovers who wish to divine their future.