Hepatica

Hepatica

Hepatica nobilis

Hepatica is a pretty little plant that really brightens up a woodlands in the springtime.  It is quite a variable plant.  The petals can range from white to pink to blue to purple.  There are two leaf shapes, one with rounded lobes and one with more pointy lobes.  They're referred to as Round-lobed Hepatica and Sharp-lobed Hepatica, amazingly enough.  Some folks call them separate species, some say they're separate sub-species, and some just think they're variations of the same plant.  I guess you can decide for yourself.

BTW, this is my 100th "Plant A Day" post.  Still going strong.  Just 265 to go!



A round-lobed leaf

Sharp lobed leaves

The backside of Hepatica leaves are often purplish in color

The leaves stay green all winter

Sometimes they're white

Sometimes they're lavendar