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Hepatica nobilis - Mill.

Common Name Hepatica, Sharplobe hepatica, Roundlobe hepatica
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The plant is poisonous in large doses[13, 19, 21]. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or drying[65].
Habitats Damp underground in shady deciduous, usually beech, woodlands, scrub and grassland, especially on limestone[7, 9, 13].
Range Europe.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Hepatica nobilis Hepatica, Sharplobe hepatica, Roundlobe hepatica


http://www.biolib.de/
Hepatica nobilis Hepatica, Sharplobe hepatica, Roundlobe hepatica
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archenzo

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Hepatica nobilis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from February to March. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. triloba. Anemone hepatica. L.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Demulcent  Diuretic  Rubefacient  Tonic  Vulnerary

The leaves and flowers are astringent, demulcent, diuretic, rubefacient, tonic and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 21]. It is a mild remedy that is little used in modern herbalism, but it is sometimes employed in treating disorders of the liver and gall bladder, indigestion etc[4, 238]. Externally, it is applied to skin diseases, slow healing cuts etc[4, 9]. The plant should be harvested in March and April, it can also be dried for later use[4]. Use with caution[21], see notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep light alkaline soil with leafmould[200, 238]. Another report says that it grows best in a deep loam or clay soil[4]. Grows well on limey woodland soils in half shade, though it also succeeds in deep shade and in full sun[1]. A very ornamental plant[1]. It grows well in the rock garden[1] and in the woodland[188]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[188]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in a moist soil in a shady position[1]. The stored seed requires stratification for about 3 weeks at 0 - 5°c. Germination takes 1 - 12 months at 10°c. It is probably worthwhile sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division just as the leafless plant comes into flower in late winter. Replant immediately into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Hepatica acutilobaAmerican Liverleaf, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, HepaticaPerennial0.3 3-9 SLMFSNM02 
Hepatica americanaAmerican Liverleaf, Alumroot, Round Lobed HepaticaPerennial0.3 3-9 SLMFSNM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Mill.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Irena   Fri Jan 18 2008

Hello! Does anybody know where it's possible in London, UK to buy Hepatica Nobilis? Please get in touch with my via email.

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