Hypericum Monogynum: A Golden Treasure of Nature

The Hypericum monogynum, a member of the Hypericaceae family, is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree. Above ground, it withers at the end of each growing season, while its underground parts are perennial.

The slender branches are multifarious with papery, sessile, opposite, and oblong leaves. Its blooming period is from June to July.

Its golden-yellow flowers, gathered in corymbose inflorescences at the top of the branches, are named for their delicate stamen filaments that sparkle like golden threads.

The Hypericum monogynum, a temperate tree species, thrives in moist, semi-shaded areas. Due to its limited cold resistance, it should be planted in sun-facing areas in the northern regions.

To ensure safe overwintering, soil should be mounded around the plant’s roots before the onset of the late autumn cold wave. The Hypericum monogynum can also be used as bonsai material.

Its beautiful flowers are used for ornamental purposes, while its fruit and roots are used medicinally. They serve as substitutes for forsythia, and the root can disperse wind, relieve cough, promote lactation, regulate menstruation, nourish blood, and treat traumatic injuries.

I. Morphological Characteristics

The shrub grows between 0.5 and 1.3 meters in height, with loose or typically sparse branches. The stem is red, initially with 2 (4) longitudinal ridges and flattened sides, quickly becoming cylindrical; cortex is orange-brown.

The leaves are arranged oppositely, either sessile or with a short stalk, up to 1.5 mm long. The leaf blade is lanceolate or oval to oblong, or sometimes needle-shaped to ovate-triangular or ovate, 2-11.2 cm long, 1-4.1 cm wide, with an acute to rounded tip, usually with a small protrusion, and a wedge-shaped to rounded base.

The leaf margin is flat, firm, the upper surface is green, and the lower surface is pale green but not grayish-white.

The inflorescence has 1-15 (-30) flowers, growing from the first node of the stem, loosely umbellate, sometimes also from the first to third nodes of the stem, rarely with 1-2 pairs of secondary branches.

The flower stalk is 0.8-2.8 (-5) cm long, with small, linear-lanceolate bracts that fall off early. The flowers are 3-6.5 cm in diameter, star-shaped; the buds are ovoid, with an apex nearly acute to blunt.

The petals are golden to lemon yellow, without a red halo, spreading, triangular-ovate, 2-3.4 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, about 2.5-4.5 times as long as the sepals, with a whole margin, glandless, with a lateral tiny protrusion, whose tip is acute to rounded or disappears.

The stamens are in 5 bundles, each with 25-35 stamens, the longest being 1.8-3.2 cm long, about as long as the petals, and the anthers are yellow to dark orange.

The fruit is a wide ovoid or rarely ovoid-conical to nearly spherical capsule, 6-10 mm long, 4-7 mm wide. The seeds are dark red-brown, cylindrical, about 2 mm long, with a narrow keeled protrusion and a shallow linear reticulate to linear honeycomb pattern.

The chromosomes are 2n=42. The flowering period is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from August to September.

II. Growth Habits

This plant thrives on slopes, roadside, or in shrubs. In coastal areas, it can be found at altitudes of 0 to 150 meters, but it can ascend up to 1500 meters in mountainous regions.

III. Cultivation Techniques

The care of the honeysuckle, whether planted in the ground or in pots, is not particularly challenging. When pot planting, use ordinary garden soil with a handful of bean cake or compound fertilizer as base fertilizer.

Prior to spring budding, the plant should be pruned to encourage the growth of new shoots and rejuvenate the plant. After flowering, the spent flowers and fruit should be cut off to promote growth and enhance its ornamental value.

The soil should be kept moist during the growing season, but water should not accumulate in the pot. The plant should receive ample sunlight in spring and autumn, but should be placed in partial shade in high summer.

To prevent leaf tip burn, it should be misted with water to reduce temperature and increase humidity. If liquid fertilizer such as manure or cake fertilizer is applied twice a month, the plant will produce abundant flowers and lush leaves, providing beauty even when not in bloom.

Propagation of honeysuckle is typically achieved through division, cutting, and seed sowing. Division is performed in winter or spring, and is more likely to be successful.

Hardwood cuttings should be taken before the spring budding, but softwood cuttings with a heel can be taken in June or July. Seeds are sown in March or April.

Because the seeds are small, they should be lightly covered with soil and mulched to retain moisture. Generally, they will germinate within 20 days, and the seedlings can be transplanted the following year, when they will start to flower.

Division

This should be done in February or March, and is highly successful. Cutting is often done during the rainy season. Tender branches are used as cuttings, and it is best if the cuttings have heels.

Once planted, they can grow up to 20 cm in the first year, transplanted the following year, and by the third year they can reach up to 70 cm.

Seeding

Seeding should be done from late March to early April. Because the seeds are small, a thin layer of soil should cover them, just enough to hide the seeds, otherwise germination will be difficult.

Keep the soil moist after sowing, and germination can occur within about three weeks. When the seedlings are 5 to 10 cm tall, they can be transplanted and are likely to flower the following year.

Cutting

The best results are achieved by taking softwood cuttings with a heel during summer. Hardwood cuttings can also be taken in early spring or late autumn. Generally, softwood cuttings are taken during the rainy season.

Cut robust one-year-old softwood branches into 10 to 15 cm long cuttings, leaving two leaves at the top and removing the rest. The medium should be clean fine river sand or perlite mixed with vermiculite (1:1), and then placed in the nursery.

The cutting depth should be half the length of the cutting. Shade the cuttings after planting and keep them moist. They can be transplanted the following year.

IV. Primary Value

Aesthetics

The honeysuckle plant is known for its beautiful leaves and flowers, making it a common ornamental plant in Southern courtyards. It can be planted under the shade of trees or in secluded corners of the garden.

The fruits of this plant are commonly used as fresh cut flower material, known as “red beans”, often used to create corsages and wrist flowers.

Garden Greening: The honeysuckle plant has beautiful leaves and flowers that resemble peach blossoms. Its stamens are golden and slender, like golden threads, which are bright and lovely.

Its leaves are beautiful and stay green throughout the year in areas south of the Yangtze River, making it a frequently seen ornamental plant in Southern courtyards.

It can be planted beside man-made hills in gardens, along the roads, or interspersed within lawns. In Northern China, it is often grown in pots for ornamental purposes and can also be used as cut flower material.

If honeysuckle is planted alongside magnolias, peach blossoms, crabapples, and lilacs, the landscape can be extended. If planted next to a man-made hill, its soft branches sway gracefully, with flowers blossoming splendidly, creating a fascinating scene.

Honeysuckle is also commonly used as a border plant along garden paths. During its blooming period, the landscape is flooded with vibrant yellow, a sight that is strikingly beautiful and extraordinary.

Medicinal Use

Honeysuckle is a traditional Chinese herb, where all parts of the plant including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits can be used for medicinal purposes. It has antidepressant, calming, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties.

It is especially known for its antiviral properties against DNA and RNA viruses and can be used in the treatment of AIDS. The extract from honeysuckle, known as honeysuckle element, is extremely valuable and used in cosmetic medicine.

Properties: Cool; bitter and astringent, warm.

Meridians: Heart; Liver.

Functions: Clears heat and detoxifies; disperses blood stasis and relieves pain; dispels wind and dampness. Used for hepatitis; enlarged liver and spleen; acute pharyngolaryngitis; conjunctivitis; carbuncles and sores; snake bites and bee stings; traumatic injuries; cold-damp lumbago.

Dosage and Administration: Oral intake: Decoction, 15~30g. External use: Appropriate amount of fresh roots or leaves, pounded and applied.

Precautions: The plant is slightly toxic and can poison humans and livestock if ingested in large amounts. Milk from cows that have eaten the plant can also be contaminated.

Prescriptions:
1) For rheumatic lumbago: One ounce of honeysuckle root and two eggs, simmered in water for two hours. Eat the eggs and soup, twice a day.

2) For viper and cobra bites: Fresh honeysuckle root with an appropriate amount of salt, pounded into a paste and applied to the wound. Change once a day.

3) For boils and abscesses: Fresh honeysuckle leaves with an appropriate amount of salt, pounded into a paste and applied to the area.

4) For poison oak and bee stings: Honeysuckle root ground into a powder, mixed with sesame oil or burned alcohol and applied to the area.

5) Fresh honeysuckle root with an appropriate amount of salt, pounded into a paste and applied to the wound. Honeysuckle root (0.03kg), simmered in water for 2 hours, taken twice daily.

Can also add two eggs for better results, for treating rheumatic lumbago. Ten dates, taken twice daily for 1-2 weeks, for treating hepatitis. Honeysuckle root ground into a powder, mixed with sesame oil or burned alcohol and applied to the area, for treating poison oak.

Fresh honeysuckle root with an appropriate amount of salt, pounded into a paste and applied to the wound, changed once a day (for emergencies), for treating cobra and viper bites.

Fresh honeysuckle leaves with an appropriate amount of salt, pounded into a paste and applied to the area, for treating boils and abscesses.

Honeysuckle root (0.003~0.009kg) simmered in water, for treating acute pharyngolaryngitis and conjunctivitis.

Honeysuckle fruit (0.003~0.009kg), Ophiopogon japonicus (0.009kg), donkey-hide gelatin (0.005kg), Epimedium (0.009kg) simmered in water, for treating lung diseases.
Honeysuckle fruit: Properties: Sweet. Used for treating lung diseases, whooping cough.

Common prescriptions:

1) For lung diseases: Honeysuckle fruit (three mace), Ophiopogon japonicus (three mace), donkey-hide gelatin (one mace and five fen), Epimedium (three mace). Simmered in water.

2) For whooping cough: Equal parts of honeysuckle fruit, Equisetum hyemale, Murraya paniculata, Rumex acetosa, Pteridium aquilinum, and Duchesnea indica. Simmered in water.

V. Identification

Characteristics Identification

The entire plant measures approximately 80cm in length, smooth and hairless. The root appears cylindrical in shape, with a brownish surface. Its cork layer is easily peeled off in pieces, and it has an irregular cross-section with a tiny hollow center.

The older stems are thicker, cylindrical, with a diameter between 4-6mm, and have a light brownish surface with visible opposite leaf scars. The cork layer also peels off easily. They are brittle and easy to break, with an irregular cross-section and a clear hollow center.

The younger stems are thinner, with a diameter between 1.5-3mm. They have a smoother surface, with light brown-green internodes and dark brown-green nodes. The cross-section is hollow. The leaves are opposite to each other, slightly wrinkled and easy to break.

Intact leaves are elongated and oval in shape with an entire margin. The upper side is green, while the lower side is gray-green with protruding midribs. Transparent gland spots can be seen on the leaves. It has a faint aroma and a slightly bitter taste.

Microscopic Identification

In the root cross-section, the cork layer consists of about 10 rows of cells. The cortical cells are roundish, with a few secretory cavities that are 11-18μm in diameter.

The phloem contains secretory cavities similar in size to the cortical secretory cavities, and phloem rays are not apparent. The cambium is prominent.

The xylem is broad, with vessels arranged radially. The pith is small, filled with roundish thin-walled cells. These cells contain clusters of calcium oxalate crystals.

Stem Cross-Section

1) Older Stem: The cork layer consists of about 8 rows of flattened rectangular brown cells. The cortical cells are roundish thin-walled cells, scattered with secretory cavities that are 10-16μm in diameter.

The phloem also contains some secretory cavities, and rays are not apparent. The cambium is prominent. The xylem cells are lignified, with well-developed wood fibers.

Most of the vessels are solitary and arranged radially. The wood rays are 1-2 cells wide. The pith is large, and its thin-walled cells contain clusters of calcium oxalate crystals.

2) Younger Stem: The epidermis cells are rectangular, with slightly thickened cell walls. The cortex is wider, scattered with secretory cavities that are 9-16μm in diameter, and there are visible discontinuous rings of slightly lignified fiber bundles. The phloem also has scattered secretory cavities. The rest is the same as the older stem.

Leaf Cross-Section

Both the upper and lower epidermis consist of one row of elongated rectangular cells. The palisade tissue consists of one row of long columnar cells. The spongy tissue is scattered with secretory cavities.

The main vein is a collateral closed bundle, with thick-walled cells on the upper and lower epidermis side. The phloem is wide, with secretory cavities arranged in a ring. These cells contain clusters of calcium oxalate crystals.

VI. Variation Types

This species varies greatly and can be divided into at least four types based on variations in leaf shape, inflorescence, and calyx size.

These are:

1) Willow Leaf Type: Leaves are oval to ovate-lanceolate, with sharp tips and wedge-shaped bases. The inflorescence is very sparse. The calyx is narrow ovate and sharp-tipped. This type is found from central China to coastal areas.

2) Blunt Leaf Type: Leaves are shorter, oblong, with blunt or round tips and round bases. The inflorescence is slightly sparse. The calyx is narrow oblong with a blunt tip.

3) Wide Calyx Type: Leaves and calyx are wider. The former ranges from wide oval (with sharp and wedge-shaped bases) to wide oblong (with round and heart-shaped bases). The latter is sometimes leaf-like, and the inflorescence is also loose. The distribution area is the same as the first type.

4) Ovate Leaf Type: Leaves are short, oval to ovate or triangular ovate, with blunt to round tips, and wide wedge-shaped to round bases. But the calyx is long and narrow.

These four types don’t require any sub-classification since they all show continuous properties in morphological features and geographical distribution.