This native member of the St.-John wart family has very small blossoms compared to related species in this area - they are only ¼ inch in diameter. The plant is herbaceous and grows 1-3 feet high, mostly on low wet ground. It is either a summer annual or a short-lived perennial. The flower has the typical 5 yellow petals of the group. There are also 5 sepals about the same length as the petals. In the center are several tiny stamens. Small bees serve as pollinators but only for a reward of pollen as there is no nectar. The fruit, as in other members of the genus is a capsule. The leaves are broadly oval in shape. It normally blooms from July to September with only a few flowers blooming at a time. The fruit is a 3-chambered capsule. It is found throughout the eastern part of Canada and United States and has been introduced to the west coast.