lo WILD, OR XATIVE FLOWERS. 



Liver- Leaf — Wind-Flower — Hepatica acutiloba, (D.C.) 



" Lodged in sunny clefts, 

 Where the cold l)reeze comes not, blooms alone 

 The little Wind-flower, whose just opened eye* 

 Is blue, as the spiing heaven it gazes at." — Bryant. 



The American poet, Bryant, has many happy allusions to the 

 Hepatica under the name of "Wind-flower." The more common name 

 among our Canadian settlers, is " Snow-flower," it being the first blossom 

 that appears directly after the melting off" of the winter snows. 



In the forest^in open, grassy woods, on banks and upturned roots 

 of trees — this sweet flower gladdens the eye with its cheerful, starry 

 blossoms ; every child knows it, and fills its hands and bosom with its 

 flowers — pink, blue, deep azure and pure white. What the Daisy is to 

 England, the Snow-flower or Liver-leaf is to Canada. It lingers long 

 within the forest shade, coyly retreating within its sheltering glades 

 from the open glare of the sun : though for a time it will not refuse to 

 bloom within the garden borders, when transplanted early in spring, 

 and doubtless if properly supplied with black mould from the woods 

 and partially sheltered by shrubs it would continue to grow and flourish 

 with us constantly. 



We have two sorts, H. anitiloba and H. triloba. A large variety 

 has been found on Long Island in Rice Lake, the leaves of which are 

 five lobed; the lobes are much rounded, the leaf stalks stout, densely 

 silky, the flowers large, of a deep purple blue. This handsome plant 

 throve under careful cultivation, and proved highly ornamental. 



The small, round, closely-folded buds of the Hepatica, appear be- 

 fore the white, silky, leaves unfold themselves, though many of the old 

 leaves of the former year remain persistent through the winter. The 

 buds rise from the centre of a silken bed of soft sheaths and young 

 leaves, as if nature kindly provided for the warmth and protection of 

 these early flowers with parental care. 



Later in the season, the young leaves expand, just before the flowers 

 drop off. The white flowered is the most common among our Hepaticas, 

 but varieties may be seen of many hues — waxen pink, pale blue and azure 

 blue with intermediate shades and tints. 



The Hepatica belongs to the Nat. Ord. Ranunculacere, the Crow- 

 foot family, but possesses none of the acrid and ])oisonous qualities of 

 the Ranunculus proper, being used in medicine, as a mild tonic, by the 

 American herb doctors in fevers and disorders of the liver. 



It is very probable that its healing virtues in complaints of the 

 liver, gave rise to its common name in old times ; some assign the 

 name, " Liver-leaf," to the form of the lobed leaf. 



' Thc-Iilui; HowcrcJ "llejiatica triloba" is evidently tlie (lower meant by the jioet. 



