Definition

1. Noun:
   • A deciduous bushy Eurasian shrub with golden yellow flowers and reddish-purple fruits, historically used to make a soothing salve in Spain. This term refers specifically to a species of flowering plant in the Hypericum genus, known for its medicinal properties and distinctive appearance.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The common St John's wort is easily identified by its bright yellow flowers.
  • A salve made from the berries of the common St John's wort has been used for centuries.

Advanced Usage

• "Hypericum perforatum": This is the botanical (Latin) name for the plant commonly referred to as St John's wort. The "common St John's wort" specified here is a related but distinct species ().
  • While Hypericum perforatum is widely studied, the common St John's wort (Hypericum androsaemum) is also notable for its traditional uses.

Variants and Related Words

• St John's wort (n): The common name for plants in the genus. "Common St John's wort" is a specific type within this group.
• Tutsan (n): Another common name for , which is the species indicated by "common St John's wort".
• Hypericum (n): The genus name encompassing St John's wort plants.

Synonyms

• Tutsan: The most direct synonym for this specific plant.
• Sweet-amber: A less common historical name for the plant.

Related Phrases

• "Wort" in plant names: In historical English, "wort" simply meant "plant" or "herb". It appears in many plant names like "St John's wort" (herb of St John) or "lungwort".

Related Idioms

(This specific botanical term is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.)

Noun

1. deciduous bushy Eurasian shrub with golden yellow flowers and reddish-purple fruits from which a soothing salve is made in Spain