- The leaves - extremely distinctive on closer inspection
- The flowers - golden yellow and radiant
- Can be recognized by the berries in autumn
- The color test - play it safe
Many plants look very similar on the outside, but are fundamentally different. For example, while some are healthy and healing, others are poisonous. So that you don't confuse St. John's wort with another plant in the future, you should read on!
The five golden yellow petals are a trademark of the St. John's wort flower
The leaves - extremely distinctive on closer inspection
If you suspect that a plant is St. John's wort, you should study the leaves carefully. Here are their general characteristics:
- arranged opposite
- 1 to 3 cm tall
- green
- oval to ovate
- entire
- glabrous
The leaves are really distinctive on closer inspection. There is no longer any doubt that it is St. John's wort if you hold the leaves up to the light and see that there are isolated, translucent, dot-like spots. These are tissue gaps. A few black dots also appear. That's where the essential oil is.
The flowers - golden yellow and radiant
From the end of June you can recognize St. John's wort by its flowers. They are located at the ends of the stems, high above the ground. In the overall picture they appear glittering. This glow is created by the numerous stamens that protrude from the center of the flower like rays of sunshine. The 5 rounded petals are also evident. They shine in a golden yellow.
Can be recognized by the berries in autumn
When the flowering period is over, you can still recognize the St. John's wort from the berries from afar. They are about 1 cm in size and ovate to rounded. Still bright red in August/September, they later turn black. Each stalk houses a berry.
The color test - play it safe
If you want to be absolutely sure, pick either a leaf or a flower. Rub the plant part between your fingers. Have your fingers turned red? Then it's St. John's Wort. There is a dye in the flowers and leaves that escapes when crushed.
tips
St. John's wort is most likely to be found in places that are in a partially shaded and dry location. It often grows on poor meadows, at rubble dumps and at roadsides.