Hepatica americana
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Anemone americana
- Anemone hepatica
- Hepatica nobilis var obtusa
- Hepatica triloba var. americana
- Phonetic Spelling
- he-PAT-ih-kuh a-mer-ih-KAY-nah
- Description
-
The round-leaf hapatica is an early blooming wildflower with blue, white, or pink flowers most often found in shaded woodlands with rich organic soil. They begin blooming in mid-March in the southern part of their range to mid-May in the northernmost areas. The flowers close at night and on rainy days.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Hepatica americana var acuta
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Hepatica americana var acuta
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hepatica
- Species:
- americana
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Early settlers made an herbal tea from the leaves to treat liver ailments.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- Minnesota to Maine to Northern Florida west to Alabama
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts sweat bees and flies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from March to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 6 petals/rays
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White, pink, blue or purple solitary flower on a silky-hairy stalk; 5 to 12 petal-like sepals; whitish or pale anthers; three green bracts. Flowers bloom from February to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Thick, leathery basal leaves; may be mottled; three rounded lobes; new leaves emerge after flowering begins
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
