Wednesday, April 25, 2007

April 25: Hepatica


Hepatica comes in sharp-lobed and round-lobed varieties. The lobes refer to the leaves. One species has leaves with round lobes, while the other's leaves have much sharper points. Round-lobed hepatica has a purplish tint to its flowers and leaves. The name hepatica refers to the liver. Because the leaves of the plant resemble the shape of the human liver, it was believed that the plant could cure diseases of that organ.

1 comment:

Kate said...

All of your flower photos are beautiful!