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LIVER LEAF, WIND FLOWER. 
planted 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. acutilobo , and H. triloba. A large variety 
has been found on Long Island in Rice Lake ; the leaves of which 
are five lobed; the lobes 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. 
The Hepatica belongs to the Nat. Ord. Ranunculacese, the crow¬ 
foot family, but possesses none of the acrid and poisonous 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 
to the form of the lobed leaf. 
