Hypericum prolificum; Clusiaceae (garcinia family)

  There are over 50 native species of Hypericum in the continental US and Canada.  This one is a small shrub (to about three feet) that likes chalky soils but readily adapts to different moisture levels.  Nice stands of it can be found on the bluffs jutting into the Potomac River downstream of Great Falls, but it’s threatened in New York and endangered in New Jersey. Older texts may refer to this plant as H. spathulatum. Tomorrow, another native Hypericum.