Wildflowers of the United States

Round-lobed Hepatica, Liverleaf - Anemone americana

Family: Ranunculaceae - Buttercup family

Genus Common Name: Anemone

Native Status: Native

Dicot Perennial Herb

Anemone americana - Round-lobed Hepatica, Liverleaf.

The classification of Anemone / Hepatica has been in flux. In the past it was considered as a single species with two varieties (some call them subspecies) of Hepatica nobilis. Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, and Round-lobed Hepatica, Hepatica nobilis var obtusa. They have also been classified in the past by some authorities as separate species in the Hepatica genus (H. acuta, H. acutiloba, H. americana, H. hepatica, and H. triloba.) Most authorities now consider these two plants to be separate species in the Anemone genus. Hepatica nobilis var. acuta is now Anemone acutiloba, and Hepatica nobilis var obtusa is now Anemone americana - the species presented here. It is closely related to the European Anemone hepatica species. The classification within the USWildflowers' database here now has moved these two plants listed from varieties of H. nobilis to Anemone americana and Anemone acutiloba.

Round-lobed Hepatica is "Endangered" in Florida and "Special Concern" in Rhode Island. It is found in both deciduous and evergreen forests, frequently in drier areas than A. acutiloba may be found.

Found in: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV

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Distribution of Anemone americana in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
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Site: Virgin Falls State Natural Area, White County, TN Date: 2013-March-08	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Hepatica 5 to 12 sepals and no petals. The sepals are subtended by 3 bracts. It is reported that the bract tips may be more blunt on Anemone americana than on Anemone acutiloba.

Site: Elsie Holmes Nature Park, Catoosa County, GA Date: 2015-March-15	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Aside from the foliage, the urn-shaped pistils are noteworthy identifiers for mature blossoms of Hepatica. Anemone acutiloba and Anemone americana (Round-lobed Hepatica) are among the earliest spring bloomers.
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Site: Virgin Falls State Natural Area, White County, TN Date: 2013-March-08	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The tips of the leaf lobes of Anemone americana (formerly Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa), are much more rounded than those of Anemone acutaloba (formerly Hepatica nobilis var. acuta.) The middle leaf lobe of Anemone americana is usually shorter relative to the other two lobes than is that in A. acutiloba. Most of the plant is hairy, including the leaf surface.
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Site: Elsie Holmes Nature Park, Catoosa County, GA Date: 2015-March-15	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Both the leaves and the floral stalks arise directly from rhizomes. The colorful sepals (various colors from white to pink thru lavender to purple) are subtended by 3 hairy bracts.
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Site: Virgin Falls State Natural Area, White County, TN Date: 2013-March-08	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The leaves of Hepatica are 3-lobed. The new blossoms will arise from last-year's leaves, which turn reddish late in the season, as shown here. These are the leaves of Anemone americana - Round-lobed Hepatica.
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References used for identification and information:

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Anemone americana initially published on USWildflowers.com 2016-02-16; Updated 2017-03-15

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
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Code Update 20230302