Names and Myths

Hepatica  From the Greek hepar or liver, leaves resembled the lobes of the liver - doctrine of signatures noblis

obtuse obtuse

acuta acute

Natural history / Folklore

Our first wildflower of spring, with the possible exception of skunk cabbage. Hepatica flowers are self fertile and do not require pollination to produce seed.⁶ The leaves start growing after the flowers and last years brown leaves remain attached to the plant providing shelter over the winter.¹⁴ The Chippewas used it to treat convulsions, and the Cherokee to banish dreams about snakes. The fresh plant in large doses is a poison.¹⁷

Description

March – May New leaves follow the flowers, color varies from white thru pink and lavender to blue. Leaves remain on plant over winter and provide shelter for flowers in spring. Rich woods

These are some of our earliest blooming wildflowers, the buds are covered with a silky hair before opening. As the new leaves open they make a contrast with the darker leaves that have remained through the winter.⁶⁸