Hypericum androsaemum
The small deciduous bushes grow 2–3' high. The broad, teardrop-shaped leaves are up to 4" long, in matched pairs at 2–3" intervals along the straight, sturdy stems. Star-shaped golden yellow flowers have five petals and measure about ⅓" (2.5 cm) across, followed by clusters of plump, hard berries of varying number, size and density. The leaves have a pleasant woodsy fragrance.
In ancient times, sprigs of Hypericum flowers were placed over windows and pictures to protect against evil spirits. The genus’ name refers to this ritual by combining the Greek words "hyper" (meaning above) and "eikon" (meaning image). In the Victorian “Language of Flowers,” Hypericum symbolizes superstition.
The ancients also observed that, when cut, this plant "bleeds" a reddish sap just as a cut finger would. So the specific epithet, androsaemum, combines the Greek words "andro" (meaning man) and "haima" (meaning blood).
Some common names (tutsan) for Hypericum androsaemum may come from the plant’s centuries-old popularity in Europe, where healers made use of several parts of the plant. In French, "toute saine" means all healthy, a label which, over time, may have morphed into “tutsan.”