St. Andrew's Cross

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

St. Andrew’s cross is a small, sprawling shrub up to 3 feet tall, with smooth, opposite leaves, reddish flaky bark, and distinctive yellow flowers with 4 petals. It grows in the southern half of Missouri.

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

The 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.

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

The 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 16 species of Hypericum. They typically 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.

Occurs in 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.

Native Missouri shrub.

This native plant can be used as a shrubby 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
Photo by Paul Nelson, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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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
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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, like a plus-sign that’s been flattened into a narrower shape. The petals usually lie on the two large sepals beneath them. The other two sepals are small and scalelike.
Wendy VanDyk Evans, Bugwood.org
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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Photo of St. Andrew’s cross, a shrubby plant.
St. Andrew's cross occurs naturally in the southern half of Missouri. It can be cultivate for ornamental use in rock gardens, but it is not winter hardy in northern Missouri.
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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.