Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Sharp-Lobed Hepatica
Hepatica acutiloba
[C-value
6]
Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
Blooms
mid-March -
April
The native Sharp-Lobed Hepatica is uncommon in our area. It prefers dappled sunlight during the spring, light shade during the summer and well-drained rich loamy soil. Habitats include upland deciduous woodlands, the slopes of bluffs and limestone cliffs. This perennial is one of our early low-growing (only 3-6" tall) woodland plants, . It has a tuft of basal leaves up to 3" long on slender petioles up to 6" long. Each untoothed leaf has 3 lobes with pointed tips. A mature plant produces a tuft of flowers on naked hairy stalks about 3-4" long. Each flower is up to 1" across with 5-11 petals that are white, pastel pink or lavender, or pastel blue.
Sharp-Lobed Hepatica at Lyon Forest Preserve (on Hepatica Hill) April 12, 2015
Sharp-Lobed Hepatica at Millbrook South Forest Preserve wooded area April 16, 2014
Sharp-Lobed Hepatica at Millbrook South Forest Preserve wooded area May 4, 2013
Sharp-Lobed Hepatica at Lyon Forest Preserve (on Hepatica Hill) April 12, 2015
Sharp-Lobed Hepatica was also called "Liverwort" for its liver color.
Click here for more information.
Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.