Liverwort Hepatica americana var. acuta
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Liverwort:
Previously known as:
- Anemone acutiloba
- Hepatica acuta
- Hepatica acutiloba
- Hepatica nobilis var. acuta
- Hepatica triloba var. acuta
- Phonetic Spelling
- he-PAT-ih-kuh a-mer-ih-KAY-nah ah-KYOO-tah
- Description
-
Mountain Hepatica is found mainly in western North Carolina in moist forests, especially over calcareous or mafic rocks. It is one of the first native wildflowers to bloom.
Ranging from pale pink or lavender-purple to pure white, these flowers first open in mid-February and last up to two months before fading. This species has no petals but instead has showy bracts surrounding a large number of delicate sepals enclosing yellow stamens.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hepatica
- Species:
- americana
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- United States
- Distribution:
- Maine to Quebec . Georgia to Minnesota
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees and flies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
-
-
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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 2" long hairy, oblong, and acute achenes from March to May.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White, pink, blue or purple solitary flower; 5-12 petal-like sepals; three green bracts. Flowers bloom from February to April.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Thick leathery, basal leaves; may be mottled; three (sometimes five or seven) sharply pointed lobes; new leaves emerge after flowering begins
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
