Freshwater Wetlands/ Marsh St Johnswort

COMMON NAME: Marsh St. Johnswort

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Pink St. Johnswort

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Triadenum virginicum

FAMILY: Clusiaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetland

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 1 to 2 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to September

FRUITING TIME: Mid-September to October

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Florida ~ Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Erect, rhizomatous ~ Leaves oblong to ovate-oblong or elliptical, dotted with translucent glands ~ Flowers with pink or crimson tone petals

GENERAL INFORMATION: In Teutonic mythology St. Johnswort were dedicated to Baldur, the sun god, because their yellow flowers come into bloom around Mid-summer’s Day, June 24, the summer solstice and when the great sun god festivals were held.  With the Christian calendar, June 24 became St. John the Baptist’s feast day, and Baldur’s yellow flowers were dedicated to St. John.  Teutonic nicknamed St. Johnswort “demon chaser” and when gathered on Mid-summer’s Eve, it would ward off imps, evil spirits and demons of melancholy.  Hung in doorways and windows or carried in the pocket, it was a safeguard against thunder and witches.  In contrast, on the Isle of Wight, far from chasing demons,  it conjured them up.  If you stepped on the plant after dark, a phantom horse would rise from the roots, sweep you up on its back and gallop away with you for the whole night.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.