HEPATICA 



The names Hepatica and Liverwort hark back to the age of the 

 simpler, and echo the doctrine of signatures. In mediaeval medi- 

 cal practice, it was believed that every disease could be cured by 

 some plant; moreover, that 

 this plant was indicated by 

 a real or fancied resem- 

 blance between a given 

 part and the organ dis- 

 eased. As the leaf of the 

 Hepatica is three-lobed, 

 it suggested the liver; hence 

 the plant was considered 

 a specific for diseases of 

 that organ. 



A group of Hepaticas is 

 an acquisition to any lawn, 

 and may be easily acquired. 



Plant the roots about 

 the trunk or under the 

 shade of a deciduous tree, 

 preferably the maple. 

 These roots are lovers of 

 shade, leaf-mould, moist- 

 ure, and non-interference. 

 The last cannot be em- 

 phasized too much. Let 

 the bed alone. Let the 

 autumn leaves sift down 

 upon and over it, making a 

 protecting blanket. Never 

 permit them to be raked 

 away. Remember the 

 Hepatica is a nursling of 

 ' the forest. 



Two species grow side by side in our Northern States, Hepat- 

 ica triloba, sometimes called the Round-leafed Hepatica because 



i8i 



Hepatica. Hepdtica aculiloha 



