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Hypericum is a genus of the flowering plant family Clusiaceae (or formerly of the Hypericaceae, which has become a 'nomen conservandum' - a name to be retained but no longer in use).

One of the best known species is St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) which is an important antidepressant as well as being a noxious weed in many areas.

All members of the genus may be referred to as "St. John's worts" or St.John's-worts, though they are also commonly just called Hypericums.

Some species are used as ornamentals and have large, showy flowers.

Major species

250px Trailing St. John's-wort
(Hypericum humifusum)

• Hypericum anagalloides (commonly known as Bog St John's wort or Tinker's Penny) is a mat-forming annual with elliptic to obovate leaves and yellow to pinkish-orange flowers. It is indigenous to western North AmericaNorth America is the third largest continent in area and the fourth ranked in population. It is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocea.
• Hypericum calycinum (commonly known as Rose of Sharon) is a woody shrub to about 1m tall, with much larger flowers than most other species, 3-5 cm diameter. It is indigenous to EuropeFor the band of the same name, see Europe (band . Europe is a continent forming the westermost part of the Eurasian supercontinent. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Se. It is a popular garden shrub, compact, growing to about 1m tall and 1-2m wide but usually smaller. There are many named cultivars and hybrids derived from it, e.g. Hypericum 'Hidcote', in the photograph, top right.
• Hypericum formosum (commonly known as Western St John's wort or Slender St John's wort) is an erect perennial with ovate to obovate leaves and deep yellow, black-dotted flowers. It is indigenous to western North America.
• Hypericum hirsutum: Hairy St.John's-wort
• Hypericum humifusum: Trailing St.John's-wort
• Hypericum maculatum: Imperforate St;John's-wort
• Hypericum montanum: Pale St. John's-wort
• Hypericum perforatum (also commonly known as Common St John's wort, Perforate St.John's-wort, Goat Weed, or Klamath Weed) is a rhizomatous perennial herb with ovate to linear leaves and deep yellow flowers. see photo. It is indigenous to Europe, West Asia, and North Africa.
• Hypericum pulchrum: Slender St.John's-wort
• Hypericum tetrapterum: Square-stalked St.John's-wort