On the Trail

Trailing St John’s-wort (Hypericum humifusum) gets its name from its growth form but pleasingly it is usually found on trails (tracks) in this part of the world. Whilst it is reasonably frequent on Eigg, elsewhere in the vice-county there are very few recent records, the only Skye ones being on the track to Dalavil – until Steve found it Leitir Fura track a few days ago.

Distinguished from trailing forms of the common Hypericum pulchrum (Slender St John’s-wort) by having three sepals longer and wider than the other two, plus petals <2x length of sepals, the whole plant also often has a whorled appearance.

Hypericum humifusum Photo: S. Terry

Tags: Plants