St John's wort

Description:

Herbaceous perennial, grown up to some 75cm, with numerous branches growing densely. Covered in bright yellow flowers, each carrying 5 petals and numerous anthers, some 3 cm in diameter. Petals are covered in tiny black dots on edges.

Habitat:

Enges of worked fields.

Notes:

Very well known in herbalism - its oily extract is used to heal burns (in particular sunburns) and wounds. But attention, when put on skin, one should avoid sun at all costs; the oil exposed on sun provokes further burns. Some preparations are said to be used in treating depressive disorders.