RANUNCULACE.E. 



81 



Hepatica. — Dillenius. 



Involucre caliciform, 3-parted, very Pi g . 43. 



near the flower, persistent. Sepals peta- 

 loid, 6 — 9. Petals none. Stamina many, 

 short. Achenia awnless. 



This genus, which consists of 

 but a single species, is found in the 

 northern parts of Europe, Asia, 

 and America, occurring in the 

 latter from Canada to South Caro- 

 lina and to the Pacific. It was first 

 recognised by Tournefort, but 

 placed in Anemone by Linnaeus, 

 and again separated by Dillenius, 

 in which he has been followed by 

 all modern botanists. 



H. triloba. — Chaix. Leaves broadly 

 cordate, 3 — 5-lobed, lobes entire. 



Chaix, Vill. Delph., i. 336. 

 Pursh, Fl. ii. 391. Torrey and 

 Gray, Flor. N. A. i. 14. Rafi- 

 nesque, Med. Flor., i. 238. 



Common names. Liverwort, 

 Liverweed, Trefoil, &c. 



Description. Root perennial, fibrous. 

 Leaves radical, on long hairy petioles, 

 somewhat coriaceous, cordate at base, 

 and divided into three equal lobes, which 

 are either rounded, obtuse, or acute, 

 purplish beneath and green, mottled with 

 purple, above. Scapes several, the length 



of the petiole, round, hirsute, single- H triloba, 



flowered, and invested at base with 



membranous sheaths. Flowers terminal, at first drooping, afterwards erect. Involucre 

 resembling a calyx, very hirsute, with deep ovate, entire segments. Sepals in two or 

 three series, purplish or white, equal, ovate, obtuse. Stamens subulate, anthers elliptic. 

 Seeds ovate, acute, awnless. 



There are two marked varieties of this plant, which have been considered 

 as species by some writers; one having the lobes of the leaves rounded (H. 

 obtusa) and the other with them spreading, and acute. (H. acuta.) Both 

 these are found in abundance in the Northern and Middle States, but the first 

 is the most common. Their usual place of growth is the sides of wooded 

 hills and mountains, where their delicate purplish flowers may be seen 

 among the earliest of the harbingers of spring ; the leaves are persistent 

 until after the flowers appear, when they decay and fall off, and are suc- 

 ceeded by another crop. The Liverwort is scentless and nearly insipid, 

 though a little astringent and mucilaginous. 



Medical uses. The whole plant is used, and was long esteemed as a pec- 

 toral and deobstruent, but probably possesses very slight powers. The earlier 

 writers describe it as " a noble vulnerary, used either inwardly or out- 

 wardly ;" and as capable of curing hernia, all diseases of the liver, and even 

 palsy. It, however, fell into deserved disrepute, and only requires notice 



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