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Similar but less problematic plants:
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Hepatica americana is often confused with:
Hepatica americana var. acuta Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium catesbaei T. catesbaei
Trillium pusillum Close up of flower
Viola pedata Viola pedata

Round-lobed Hepatica Hepatica americana

Other 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 Gardenerâ„  Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
Cultivars / Varieties:
Hepatica americana var acuta
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#small spaces#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#rich soils#herbaceous perennial#variegated#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#native wildflower#food source spring#food source herbage#food source pollen#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#fly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#herb garden#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Hepatica americana var acuta
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#small spaces#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#rich soils#herbaceous perennial#variegated#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#native wildflower#food source spring#food source herbage#food source pollen#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#fly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#herb garden#woodland
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from March to June.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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