Hepatica nobilis (Liverleaf)

Hepatica nobilis (liverleaf, liverwort, hepatica, round-lobed hepatica, liverweed, trefoil, trinity herb, kidneywort, pennywort, American liverleaf)

Hepatica nobilis (liverleaf, liverwort, hepatica, round-lobed hepatica, liverweed, trefoil, trinity herb, kidneywort, pennywort, American liverleaf)

Low-growing perennial, to 5 – 20cm. tall. Acaulinar leaves, which arise directly from the rhizome or underground stem of the plant. These are petiolate, entire, glabrous, apex obtuse and distinctly lobed limb.

The underside of the leaf is red and has white hairs, while the upper side is lustrous and has a pale mottling.

Liverleaf is one of the first flowers of spring, flowering from February to March.

The flowers are solitary and are arranged at the end of long stems of 5-15 cm. These consist of 6-9 petals, violet, purple or white, which are arranged in sets of two. Flower parts: five sepals, stamens 2-6 mm., Anthers 0.7 mm. and ovary densely hairy.