Hepatica is a genus in the Ranunculaceae family. Most of the species have fibrous roots, but one, Hepatica nobilis , has a short thick, rhizomatous rootstock.
Hepatica nobilis , an European species growing from rhizomes, has green leaves that are purple underneath and flowers with 6 to 7 showy sepals. Most flowers are blue, but there are white and pink flowers found in the wild and many cultivars being grown. Photos by John Lonsdale.
This plant is native to Italy where it is found growing in the shade at an elevation of 300 to 1000. It blooms mid February to March. Photos from
Alessandro Marinello, Padova, Italy.
Return to the PBS wiki Photographs And Information page