Ancient doctors credited this plant with various extraordinary properties such as the power to keep off witches or the ability to foretell marriage for maidens provided it was gathered on June 24, St. John's Day. It was also said that the dew from the flower was good for sore eyes. It grows plentifully in waste places and along roadsides. The plant grows to 2 feet or more in height and the 5-petalled yellow flowers are clustered at the top in a loose spray (or cyme). The yellow petals are sprinkled with black dots. The plant flowers from June throughout the summer.
