Species library · Plants & herbs

St. John's Wort: poisonous

Hypericum perforatum

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

St. John's Wort is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from June to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Photo: (c) Thomas Gyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Gyselinck · iNaturalist

When St. John's Wort appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

St. John's Wort is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up St. John's Wort in the app

In the Forage app, St. John's Wort has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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St. John's Wort: common questions

Is St. John's Wort poisonous?

Yes. St. John's Wort is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does St. John's Wort appear?

St. John's Wort usually appears from June to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does St. John's Wort grow?

St. John's Wort is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

What can St. John's Wort be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Tutsan, Imperforate St John's-wort, Square-stalked St John's-wort. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits