| Hypericum gentianoides | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Hypericaceae |
| Genus: | Hypericum |
| Section: | H. sect. Brathys |
| Species: | H. gentianoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypericum gentianoides | |
| Synonyms | |
Sarothra gentianoides L. | |
Hypericum gentianoides is a species of flowering plant in the St. John's wort family Hypericaceae. Its common names include orangegrass and pineweed.
Native to eastern North America, it ranges from Ontario; Nova Scotia and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Missouri and Minnesota. [1] [2] It has been observed growing in habitats such as fields, flatwoods, and rock outcrops. [3]
It is an annual herb typically growing 10–40 cm tall. The leaves are repressed against the stem, 1-3mm long, and scale-like; an adaptation to reduce transpiration in exposed environments. [4] The flowers are no more than 3mm across, with five to ten stamens, and three styles. [5] [6] It commonly grows in nutrient poor soil, sand, and on exposed sites, but is also known to occur in wetter areas such as coastal plain marshes. [6] The name orangegrass refers to the citrus smell that is released when it is crushed. [7] Chemical extracts of H. gentianoides have been found to inhibit the contraction of HIV. [8]
