Round-lobed Liverleaf Hepatica americana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Anemone americana
- Anemone hepatica
- Hepatica nobilis var obtusa
- Hepatica triloba var. americana
- Phonetic Spelling
- hep-AT-ih-kuh a-mer-ih-KAY-nah
- Description
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Hepatica americana 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.
Hepatica americana is very smilar in appearance to Hepatica acutiloba except that the lobes on the leaves of americana are blunt while those on acutiloba come to a point. The americana variety is usually found in drier areas than acutiloba, which has a preference for rocky slopes with higher calcium content.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 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:
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- 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
