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Hepatica americana var. acuta is often confused with:
Hepatica americana Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hepatica americana Flowers
Trillium luteum Flowers with mottled bracts
Viola pedata Viola pedata

Mountain Hepatica Hepatica americana var. acuta

Other Common Name(s):

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.

 

More information on Hepatica americana.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#blue flowers#spring flowers#moist soil#endangered#NC native#well-drained soil#neutral pH#lavender flowers#variegated#rock garden#native wildflower#clumping#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#fly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#mottled leaves#perennial#wildflower
 
Form
Form Jason Hollinger CC BY 2.0
Flowers
Flowers Jason Hollinger CC BY 2.0
Leaves
Leaves David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0
Flower close-up, Wake Co. NC
Flower close-up, Wake Co. NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0
Flowers and leaves, Wake Co. NC
Flowers and leaves, Wake Co. NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#blue flowers#spring flowers#moist soil#endangered#NC native#well-drained soil#neutral pH#lavender flowers#variegated#rock garden#native wildflower#clumping#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#fly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#mottled leaves#perennial#wildflower
  • 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