Hepatica
Hepatica americana
Also known as: roundlobe hepatica, sharplobe hepatica
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Hepatica
- Species:
- Hepatica americana
- USDA Symbol:
- HENO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, lavender, blue
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, early spring pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers woodland settings with leaf litter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and may take up to a year to germinate. Fresh seed germinates best; dried seed has reduced viability.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are warm and cold stratified
Establishment: A. pachypoda is found within temperate deciduous forests of North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. Sow at 20°C for 6 weeks, then place @ 4°C for 6 weeks, then slowly raise temperature to 10°C for 6 weeks. If there is no germination, repeat the cycle. * hydrophilic, grow seedlings at cool temperature, best accomplished by sowing in open ground