A cheerful yellow flower that pops up in vacant lots and poor soil; here it was growing between the stones of the railroad viaduct that runs along the back of the South Side. As an herbal remedy for depression, St.-John’s-Wort seems to be one of the few herbal remedies actually supported by good science; unfortunately, the unregulated state of herbal medicines in the United States means that pills labeled “St.-John’s-Wort” may not contain the amount indicated on the label, or any at all.

For a fuller description and more pictures, see the Hypericum perforatum reference page.