Perennials, Weeds > Hepatica > Hepatica acutiloba > Hepatica acutiloba
Hepatica acutiloba
Liverwort, Sharp-lobed hepatica, Heart Liver Leaf
Origin: Native to the eastern part of North America.
| Genus |
| Hepatica |
| Species |
| acutiloba |
| Category |
| Perennials, Weeds |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 3a - 7a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Height |
| 30 cm |
| Spread |
| 15 - 30 cm |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| Landscape |
| Garden use and ground cover. |
| Cultivation |
| Full sun and partial-shade. Well-drained, semi-rich soil with a neutral pH. Frost tolerant. |
| Shape |
| Clump-forming. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| Pests |
| Rust and leaf smut. Susceptible to slug damage. |
| Habitat |
| Woodlands. |
| Leaf Description |
| Broad, 3-lobed, heart-shaped leaves that are 5 cm wide. The underside of the leaves have tiny dense hairs. |
| Flower Description |
| Flowers are 2 - 3 cm in diameter. No petals but presents a showy bracts surrounding sepals. |
| Fruit Description |
| Oblong and sharp-pointed, 2 - 3 cm long and are covered in little hairs. |
| Colour Description |
| The leaves are green to dark green and in autumn turn a russet and purple throughout the winter. The flowers are pale pink or purple to pure white in colour. |
| Texture Description |
| Upper surface of the leaves are smooth. The fruit appears hairy. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Joany's Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Division and seed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| No longer a popular herbal remedy but it does act as a mild astringent and diuretic. Hepatica was viewed as the cure-all for most ailments. The Greeks would prescribe this plant for liver disorders. In North America, Native Americans used this plant as a tea to sooth coughs, irritated throats and a wash for sore breasts. |
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