HEPATICA. 177 



HEPATICA. 



ANEMONE HEPATICA. 



RANUNCULACE^E. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 



Called formerly the noble liverwort. French, 1' anemone hepa- 

 tique; 1'hepatique des jardins. Italian, anemone fegatella. 



THE Hepatica is a Swiss species of the anemone : there 

 are many varieties, both single and double, varying in co- 

 lour, and generally blowing in great profusion in February 

 and March. The flower lies a year within the bud, com- 

 plete in all its parts. The double flowers last longer than 

 the single, and are much handsomer. They thrive best 

 when exposed only to the morning sun; cold does not 

 injure them. They should be kept moderately moist, and 

 may be increased by parting the roots, which should be 

 done in March, when they are in flower ; but not oftener 

 than every third or fourth year. Frequent removal weakens, 

 and sometimes destroys them. 



A remarkable instance is recorded of change of colour 

 in these flowers. Some roots of the Double Blue He- 

 patica being sent from a garden in Tothill-fields to another 

 at Henley upon Thames, when they came to blossom pro- 

 duced white flowers, owing to the difference of the soil : 

 but it is yet more curious, that being returned to their 

 former station, they resumed their original blue colour. 



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