NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
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. 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. acutiloba and H. triloba. A 
large variety was 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 before 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. 
This pretty native flower improves under garden culture, 
forming a lovely flowery border, giving us the very earliest 
blossoms of April and May to gladden us before any of our 
garden flowers open. The colors of the pink and the blue 
deepen in open sunny borders. 
The Hepatica belongs to the Nat. Ord. Ranunculacee, 
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