St. Andrew’s Cross

Illustration of St. Andrew's cross leaves, flowers, fruit.
Scientific Name
Hypericum hypericoides (formerly Ascyrum hypericoides)
Family
Clusiaceae (St. John’s-worts)
Description

St. Andrew's cross is a small shrub with smooth, reddish bark that peels away in thin strips or flakes.

Flowers are bright lemon yellow; the 4 petals form an oblique cross; there are 4 sepals, of which 2 are large and 2 extremely small; with many stamens. Blooms July–October.

Leaves are opposite, sessile, lighter green below, narrowed at the base, to 1 inch long.

Fruits are ovoid capsules, widest at or below the middle, tapered to a short beak, flattened, with numerous seeds.

Of the two varieties in the state, the more common, var. multicaule, grows only to about 1 foot tall; it is bushy and branches at the base. Var. hypericoides is taller and doesn’t branch at the base, though it branches well above ground level.

Similar species: Missouri has 14 species of Hypericum. All have opposite, simple, entire leaves with small resin dots, flowers with 4 or 5 yellow petals, 4 or 5 sepals, many stamens, and 1 pistil. Many are small shrubs, with twigs often angled or 2-winged. The capsules have numerous seeds.

Size

Height: from 4 inches to 2 feet; sometimes nearly 5 feet tall.

Where To Find
image of St. Andrew's Cross distribution map

Scattered south of the Missouri River.

Bottomland forests, rich to dry upland forests, banks of streams and rivers, occasionally margins of ponds and lakes; also roadsides and open, disturbed areas, usually on acidic or sandy substrates. Because the flowers are not abundant or very showy, this species is often overlooked.

This native plant can be used as a wildflower in rock gardens, though it is not winter hardy in northern Missouri. The name comes from the flower shape. According to legend, St. Andrew the Apostle was crucified on an X-shaped cross. This shape, called a saltire, is used repeatedly in European heraldry, flags, and signs.

Deer browse the foliage, and a variety of insects visit the flowers.

Media Gallery
Illustration of St. Andrew's cross leaves, flowers, fruit.
St. Andrew's cross, Hypericum hypericoides
Paul Nelson
1/5
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross flower with foliage.
St. Andrew’s cross is easily identified by its distinctive X-shaped flowers. Look for it in dry, open woods and cut-over woodlands.
Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
2/5
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross showing branches with flowers and leaves.
St. Andrew’s cross typically has its 4 yellow petals arranged in an oblique X.
Wendy VanDyk Evans, Bugwood.org
3/5
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross showing fruits.
The fruits of St. Andrew’s cross are ovoid capsules, widest at or below the middle, flattened, containing numerous seeds.
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
4/5
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross, a shrubby plant.
There are two varieties of St. Andrew’s cross in Missouri. Var. hypericoides doesn’t branch at the base, but it branches above ground level.
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
5/5
Illustration of St. Andrew's cross leaves, flowers, fruit.
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross flower with foliage.
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross showing branches with flowers and leaves.
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross showing fruits.
Photo of St. Andrew’s cross, a shrubby plant.
Similar Species
About Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Missouri
There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground.