Hepatica, a Harbinger of Spring

Hepatica, Anemone acutiloba, is among the very first wildflowers to bloom in the eastern deciduous forest.

Once the days start to lengthen, the frogs and salamanders are congregating in vernal pools and the heat energy from the sun begins to feel stronger, it's time to search for humble but cheery hepatica. The woodlands are still quiet and last year's oak leaves cover the forest floor. Among those leaves and in the sheltered nooks and crannies of EOA's Dolostone cliffs and boulders are the many-petaled, hairy stemmed flowers of our search.

Hepatica flowers periscoping up from the leaf litter.

Hepatica has a long history of name changes. Botanists have gone back and forth since the plant was originally described in 1753 by Linnaeus. Linnaeus gave the plant the name Anemone hepatica. Even today, depending on the source, you can encounter a variety of names. older texts like Newcomb's Wildflower Guide, by Lawrence Newcomb, have the flower set in the genus Hepatica and divided into two distinct species, H. acutiloba and H. americana, sharp-lobed hepatica and round-lobed hepatica respectively. Other sources like USDA Plants keep the same genera but lumped the flowers into one species, H. nobilis, and classifying the sharp-lobed plants and the round-lobed plants as varieties. Finally, others such as Flora of North America, have put the beleaguered plants back into the genus Anemone and separated them once again into two distinct species, A. acutiloba and A. americana, again, sharp-lobed and round-lobed respectivly. Confused? So is the poor plant! Just call it hepatica and most folks will know exactly what you are talking about.

This crab spider does not care one bit what humans are currently calling this flower. It just knows that it's a great place to catch a meal!

These flowers have many interesting parts to their life history in addition to being so captivating to the human eye. Its role as an early bloomer makes it particularly important to early insects. There are many kinds of insects such as beetles and solitary bees that welcome the sight of hepatica as a potential food source. However, if the aforementioned insect is hoping for a sip or two of sweet, energy giving nectar, they will be disappointed. Hepatica does not offer any kind of nectar reward for visiting insects but does produce good quantities of pollen which is white in color.

White colored pollen is the prime target of some early solitary bees,

According to Heather Holm in her excellent book, Pollinators of Native Plants, small carpenter bees from the genus Ceratina and sweat bees from the genus Lasioglossum are the most frequent visitors. She also notes that hepatica is able to self pollinate although that particular method of reproduction results in a smaller number of seeds being produced. It's a good strategy on the plant's part given the volatile nature of early spring weather making pollinator visits far from guaranteed.

Hepatica flowers are only open on warmer, sunnier days. These are conditions that are more likely to result in visits from potential pollinators.

Those familiar with hepatica flowers have probably noticed that they are found in a fairly wide range of colors. While white seems to be fairly common, shades of pink, purple and blue are not unheard of. Why is this? In Carol Gracie's Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast, A Natural History, she addresses this phenomenon which apparently occurs in other spring flowers as well. A study on the variations in color of hepatica was done by Edgar Anderson in 1936. He looked at the entire range of the plant and discovered that the blues and pinks were much more common in the western part of the range (think Ozarks) while white was the predominant color in the east (New England). The supposition is that the white is more easily seen by insects in the darker coniferous woods of the east while the brighter, more open hardwoods of the Midwest cause the purples to be more easily seen. It's an interesting concept and aren't we lucky that we can get all the colors in one place! Here are just a few variations seen on the preserve in the last couple of weeks.

One other thing that makes hepatica unique is its strategy for capturing light energy from the sun and turning it into food energy. Yes, that's right, we're talking photosynthesis. Like other spring flowers growing in forested habitats, there is a narrow window of time from when the plant emerges to complete leaf-out from the canopy of trees above. There are a lot of different strategies employed analogous to the tortoise and the hare story. Some spring ephemerals simply race to get all their energy harvested from the sun, reproduction done and then they disappear underground for the rest of the year. 

Hepatica takes a more tortoise-like approach. After flowering, new green leaves emerge from the base of the plant. They gradually become dark green and have a thick, somewhat waxy feel to them. This is similar to other plants who sport evergreen leaves. The tough nature of the leaves allow them to absorb what sunlight they can during the growing months and continue doing so once the canopy opens back up. The leaves then persist through the winter months turning a deep purple/burgundy color. By the time early spring once again rolls around, last years leaves are beginning to decay.

At flowering time, the previous year's leaves are often hidden in the leaf litter of the forest floor.

Old leaves are more readily visible on hepatica plants growing on cliffs and boulders.

Starting at the base, this year's new leaves unfurl.

The leaves themselves must unroll from their compressed state.

New leaves are not always green right away.

Once open, the leaves will take on their green color. Some plants will show variegated leaves throughout the season.

This hepatica is done flowering and ready to store up as much energy as it can for next year's flower production.

As fall turns into winter, the 3 lobed hepatica leaves will turn a deep burgundy color.

The name hepatica comes from the Greek word "hepar" meaning liver. It's referring to the shape and the winter time color of the leaves. The Doctrine of Signatures was an ancient belief that if a plant resembled a part of the human body, then that plant had medicinal properties that would be useful in treating ailments specific to that body part. For a long time, hepatica was used to treat problems of the liver. In fact, according to Gracie in Springtime Flowers of the Northeast, in 1883, somewhere between 425,000 and 450,000 pounds of dried hepatica leaves were used in the U.S. Wow! Most of it was used in what we now know were totally useless "medicines". Modern studies of hepatica leaves have shown that the plant is not medically relevant for liver treatments. 

What hepatica does do for us is lift our spirits at the end of long, cold, dark winters. It's cheery flowers, delicate stamens, and range of delightful colors encourages us to be outside and observing carefully the world around us.

Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss

Early Spring Yard Flowers

Hiding in plain sight are some incredibly beautiful plants. They are very likely in your yard right now. You cannot see them from your window, and most you cannot see walking around. They are very small. Tiny in fact. And many have been blooming for over a month!

First up are these blue beauties. This is corn speedwell and has a low creeping habit. In my yard, this one has been in bloom since February. Its bright color helps make it stand out even though it is so small.

Tiny corn speedwell, Veronica arvensis, sports incredible blue-purple coloring. Photo by Sam James.

Next up is the diminutive Whitlow grass, Draba verna. It has bright white flowers on a long stalk with a basal rosette of hairy leaves. Very elegant under close observation.

Draba verna, or Whitlow grass is a very small plant in the mustard family. Photo by Sam James.

Whitlow grass has deeply cleft petals similar to that of chickweed. Photo by Sam James.

A good look at the fuzzy whorl of leaves of whitlow grass.

While none of the flowers on this post are native, they are still interesting. To my knowledge they are not serious invaders, rather taking advantage of disturbed places in high impact areas such as roadsides, lawns, and gardens. Not to say they cannot become problems. I continually battle the invasion of gill-over-the-ground in my garden beds. 

Gill-over-the-ground, Glechoma hederacea, is an aggressive grower in the mint family. However, its deep throated blue flowers are great for bees and small butterflies.

Chickweed, Stellaria media, is also low and creeping. The petals are so deeply cleft that is can appear to have 10 when if fact there are only 5.

Another small plant in the mint family that is attractive to pollinators is purple Dead Nettle, Lamium purpureum. 

Purple dead nettle often grows en mass. 

The cluster of flowers on each plant is like a nectar buffet for bees, moths, and butterflies.

There are a myriad of species of cress, some native some not. All are in the mustard family. In your yard there could be several different kinds, but they can be a bit of a challenge to tell apart. 

This early blooming cress has a basal rosette of leaves each with several leaflets. The leaves definitely make a stronger statement than the flowers.

For the last of the smaller, but eye catching flowers we have field pennycress. The plant itself can get quite tall, but the flowers remain small and dainty. The seedpods also lend interest to this overlooked plant.

A birds-eye view of field pennycress,  Thlaspi arvense. Photo by Sam James.

Again, the rosette of leave at the bottom of the plant are attractive. The grayish purple stem is also nice.

We would be remiss if we didn't spend just a little bit talking about dandelions. They are not small and you can definitely see them from your window. There are a lot of strong feelings out there about dandelions. Whatever your feelings are about this plant, they have a long history and are incredibly interesting. So much so that there is a whole book that has been written about them. The Teeth of the Lion: The Story of the Beloved and Despised Dandelion  by Anita Sanchez. 

In your yard you might notice some of the dandelions have adapted to being mowed. Instead of growing tall and blooming, the blooms are low to the ground to avoid the mower blades.

The single bud looks like its ready to explode!

These are familiar leaves to many folks. They are easily recognizable even without the flower.

A highly adaptable plant, in more mild winters dandelions can been seen blooming well in to the fall and in very late winter. The bright yellow color is no doubt a cheery sight during these times.

So, go outside and hunt around for some wildflowers in your own yard. While you're at it, get down on your hands and knees, crawl around and give your neighbors something to talk about!

Post by: Robyn Wright-Strauss

Early Spring Wildflowers

A cluster of white trout lily, Erythronium americanum, erupts from a sheltered spot on a Dolostone cliff.

It's that wonderful time of year when new things are hopping, growing, popping, unfurling and otherwise returning to the business of growing and reproducing. Everywhere you look, (if you know where and how), some wonderful thing is happening outside your door.

Outside our doors here on the Preserve, it's time for the earliest of spring wildflowers. Especially on the sunny southern slopes there can be an abundance of lovely plants to discover. However before we throw ourselves into that abundance, I feel obligated to mention that the ever interesting skunk cabbage is the first wildflower to bloom. It often can be found emerging through snow in late January or February depending on where you are and the severity of the winter.

This skunk cabbage flower, Symplocarpus foetidus, seems to be an older specimen already beginning to soften and decompose. Its associated leaves still tightly coiled, are ready to open and photosynthesize their little hearts out!

One thing that is easy to overlook this time of year is the beauty that comes with plants just as they emerge from the warming soil on the forest floor or in many cases here on the preserve, the warming pocket of soil on a large Dolostone slump block. Many times these plants have dark colored leaves just as they come up. Perhaps the darker color helps absorb the heat energy from the sun even on overcast days.

These trout lily leaves are still a darker purple color. A couple haven't even flattened out yet.

These Dutchman's breeches, Dicentra cucullaria, leaves are deeply cut giving it a fringey appearance as it pokes through the leaf litter.

The leaves of Virginia bluebells, Mertensia virginica, are dark blueish green with purple veining at first emergence.

Another thing that can be overlooked - but shouldn't - is the budding and opening of the flowers themselves. The structure of a flower is an extraordinarily beautiful thing even before it opens. Not only that, but the endless variety of leaf shapes and forms are worth paying attention to as well. 

The serrated leaves and tightly bunched buds on this cut-leaved toothwort, Dentaria laciniata, are striking. The tiny glimpse of color at the top of some of the buds is an added bonus for those who look closely.

These two bloodroot flowers, Sanguinaria canadensis, are like rockets waiting for lift off. Notice the leaf on the one in the front hugs the flower bud protecting it from low temperatures.  

This trout lily boasts graceful lines as it unfurls. It's a unique look at a familiar wildflower. I'm glad I didn't pass it by because it wasn't in full bloom.

Virginia bluebells are a favorite among many wildflower enthusiasts. It's easy to see why. Even without the full bloom of this showy woodland gem it's a showstopper.

Once the flowers are in full bloom one would think it's just eye candy all the time. Think again! Early spring is a wild time weather wise. One day can be warm and rainy the next can be cold but sunny. Back and forth swings of temperatures clouds and sun make it a tumultuous time for both the flowers and their pollinators. Many early spring wildflowers are only open during sunny days. This helps to save energy for the times when pollinators will most likely be out. Again, it's easy to overlook a closed up flower, but slowing down and taking a closer look can be rewarding.

This rue anemone, Anemone quiquefolia, is a lovely pink color and adorned with dewdrops.....but I know you're really thinking, "My gosh! it looks like Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors!

Purple Cress, Cardamine douglasii, is one of many plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) that abound in early spring. The delicate purple color of the petals are better viewed during overcast conditions.

This group of bluish tinted hepatica, Anemone acutiloba, looks sleepy in the evening light.

All that being said, there really is nothing like the joy of seeing the first flowers of spring turning their faces to the sun. After so many months of muted winter colors, the variety of colors and forms found in the woodland spring ephemerals is very welcomed.

Here are our blueish hepaticas again, but not looking sleepy any longer! What a transformation!

Rue anemone delicately open and quivering with the slightest breeze. 

This is one of the yellow corydalises, Corydalis spp. Thier lacey foliage and arching stems are very attractive. These sprays of golden flowers are very at home on boulders and rocks on the Preserve.

The purple cress is open for business!

The bloodroot is finally blooming and will only last a day or two. This flower really knows how to put on a show with it's whiter that white petals and golden yellow anthers.

These Dutchman's breeches are also sporting white and yellow, but they have found that a more interesting shape works best for them. This early spring flower is a favorite of queen bumblebees, Bombus sp.

Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss