An integrated approach to the study of Hypericum occurring in Sicily

An integrated approach to the study of taxa of the genus Hypericum occurring in Sicily is proposed. The results ofmorphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses are combined to better assess the relationships between the species investigated andtest the suitability of DNA barcoding technique in the discrimination of these taxa. For the name Hypericum aegypticum subsp. webbii(Spach) N. Robson a lectotype is designated. For Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra a lectotype and a supporting epitype are designated.The presence of Hypericum perforatum L. subsp. perforatum is excluded from Sicily and the previous reports have to be referred to H.perforatum subsp. veronense (Schrank) Ces. Hypericum perfoliatum L. and H. pubescens Boiss. are close morphologically and chemically,as well as based on the results from rcbL marker, although belonging to different sections. Biochemical analyses confirmed the relevantamounts in bioactive metabolites of the studied taxa. Hypericum perfoliatum L. is proposed as a valid alternative to H. perforatum L. forcultivation with phytotherapic purposes.