Authors: Mill.
Synonyms: Anemone hepatica
Usually about 10cm in height but up to 15cm under ideal conditions. Leaves kidney-shaped. 5-8cm across with three broadly ovate to rounded, blunt lobes, often purple-flushed and hairy beneath, sometimes with a pale marbling above. Flowers 1.5-2.5cm across, usually with six tepals, in shades of blue, purple, pink and pure white, late winter to spring. Most of Europe except the extreme north and south, usually in woods on limestone. H.n. 'Little Abington' has rich violet-blue flowers with a central boss of small petaloids. Various other double and semi-double forms are known. H.n. var. pubescens has the leaves hairy on both surfaces. Japan. H.n. var. japonica has pointed leaf lobes and flowers with six to nine tepals, usually white, sometimes pinkish. H.n. var. japonica forma variegata has blunt-lobed leaves sometimes prominently white-marbled. Japan (Honshu only). H.n. var. maxima has leaves 10-12cm wide, sometimes to 15cm Matsushima Island only.
Joint Rock: Joint Rock Awards, Westminster, February 2011
a, H. acutiloba; b, H. americana; c, H. nobilis; d, H. transsilvanica;
