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

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

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 Gardenerâ„  Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
Cultivars / Varieties:
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#variegated#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#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#woodland garden#perennial#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
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#variegated#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#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#woodland garden#perennial#herb garden
  • 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:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    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