Highlands Scrub St. John's-wort / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Highlands Scrub St. John's-wort (Hypericum cumulicola)

The petals of a H. cumulicola flower are shaped like propeller blades and are attached at the base. Approximately 27 anthers emerge from the center of the flower. Photo Credit: © 1991 Steve Shirah
  • Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Clusiaceae
  • State: FL
  • Nature Serve ID: 153679
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/25/1988
Description:

As a member of the genus Hypericum, this plant may contain hypericin, which is a promising chemical compound that may help protect animals from viral diseases. (Duke 1989) This species was listed as federally endangered in 1987, and the main causes of its decline include habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and fire suppression. This small, short-lived perennial herb can grow from 20 to 70 cm tall, and has 3 - 17 wiry, round stems that arise from a woody, fibrous root system. Its needle-like leaves are opposite, entire, and simple. Blooming from July to November, flowers occur in cymes are composed of five yellow petals that are shaped like the blades of a propeller. Mature seeds are pointed, opening into 3 curved, beaked segments, surrounded by 5 persistent sepals. This Hypericum is a prolific reproducer, and by the end of the season there can be as many as 1,600 reproductive structures (fruits, flowers, or buds) on an individual plant. This species closest Florida relative is H. gentianoides. The two species are morphologically very similar, but can be distinguished by their branching form. H. gentianoides branches repeatedly above the base, while H. cumulicola branches only at the base. (USFWS 1999)

Where is Highlands Scrub St. John's-wort (Hypericum cumulicola) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species is found almost exclusively in sunny openings in rosemary balds. It is limited to upland areas with well-drained, sterile, white patches of open, nutrient-poor sand within oak and rosemary scrub (FNAI 2000).Associates often include Cladonia spp. and Eryngium cuneifolium (NatureServe 2001).

Distribution:

Endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge of Highlands and Polk Counties.

States & Provinces:

Highlands Scrub St. John's-wort can be found in Florida

Which CPC Partners conserve Highlands Scrub St. John's-wort (Hypericum cumulicola)?

  • Bok Tower Gardens

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add

    Silver Sponsor

    Bok Tower Gardens

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Tina Stanley
    • 05/11/2023
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    According to a March 2023 extract of the Florida Plant Rescue Database, Bok Tower Gardens holds 3 accessions of Hypericum cumulicola totalling approximately 32012 seeds.

    • 09/16/2020
      • Genetic Research

    The plant lab at Archbold biological Station researches the demographics and genetics of this species as well as monitors it.

    • 09/16/2020
      • Demographic Research

    The plant lab at Archbold biological Station researches the demographics and genetics of this species as well as monitors it.

    • 09/16/2020
      • Reproductive Research

    Margaret Evans studies the reproductive biology of this species

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    A species with an extremely limited range, and often just a few plants per occurrence: the Florida Natural Areas Inventory contains 78 occurrence records in its database, all located within Highlands and southern Polk counties, Florida. The species' habitat is decreasing in quality and extent as the southern portion of the Central Florida Ridge is developed.

    Dorothy M. Brazis
    • 01/01/2010

    The decline of this species is due to habitat loss from fire suppression, residential developments, ranches, and citrus groves (USFWS 1999).

    Dorothy M. Brazis
    • 01/01/2010

    Approximately 1250 plants known in 15 sites in Central Florida sites in Lake Wales Ridge of Highlands and southern Polk Counties. There are 70 known populations that range in size from 30 to 1,000,000 individuals (USFWS 1999).

    Dorothy M. Brazis
    • 01/01/2010

    Margaret Evans studies the reproductive biology of this species. The plant lab at Archbold biological Station researches the demographics and genetics of this species as well as monitors it. Bea Pace monitors this species at Saddle Blanket Preserve. Ann Johnson conducts research on the response of this species to fire.

    Dorothy M. Brazis
    • 01/01/2010

    No active management know to be in progress.

    Dorothy M. Brazis
    • 01/01/2010

    Determine current distribution of this species. Protect and enhance existing populations. Conduct research on life history characteristics, demographic, population viability and risk assessment analysis, and research management requirements. Monitor existing populations of this species. Educate the public. Prevent habitat degradation and restore suitable habitat through the use of managed fire. Continue habitat-level research projects. Monitor habitat/ecological processes.

    Dorothy M. Brazis
    • 01/01/2010

    Maintain this species in ex situ collections.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Hypericum cumulicola
    Authority (Small) P. Adams
    Family Clusiaceae
    CPC Number 2298
    ITIS 195647
    USDA HYCU
    Duration Biennial, Perennial
    Common Names highlands scrub hypericum | highlands scrub St. John's-wort | scrub Hypericum
    Associated Scientific Names Hypericum cumulicola | Sanidophyllum cumulicola
    Distribution Endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge of Highlands and Polk Counties.
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Florida S2
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    The petals of a H. cumulicola flower are shaped like propeller blades and are attached at the base. Approximately 27 anthers emerge from the center of the flower. Photo Credit: © 1991 Steve Shirah
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Bees
    Sweat bees Augochloropsis Suspected Pollinator Floral Link
    Bumble bees Bombus Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Dialictus Suspected Pollinator Floral Link
    Sweat bees Dialictus Suspected Pollinator Floral Link
    Solitary bees Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Augochloropsis sumptuosa Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Dialictus miniatulus Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Dialictus nymphalis Floral Visitor Link
    Flies
    Bee flies Geron Floral Visitor Link

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