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Hepatica nobilis - Mill.

Hepatica

Author	Mill.	Botanical references	50, 200
Family	Ranunculaceae	Genus	Hepatica
Synonyms	Anemone hepatica - L. Hepatica triloba - Gilib.
Known Hazards	The plant is poisonous in large doses[13, 19, 21]. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or drying[65].
Range	Europe.
Habitat	Damp underground in shady deciduous, usually beech, woodlands, scrub and grassland, especially on limestone[7, 9, 13].
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.1m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Astringent; Demulcent; Diuretic; Rubefacient; Tonic; Vulnerary.

The leaves and flowers are astringent, demulcent, diuretic, rubefacient, tonic and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 21]. It is a mild remedy that is little used in modern herbalism, but it is sometimes employed in treating disorders of the liver and gall bladder, indigestion etc[4, 238]. Externally, it is applied to skin diseases, slow healing cuts etc[4, 9]. The plant should be harvested in March and April, it can also be dried for later use[4]. Use with caution[21], see notes above on toxicity.

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep light alkaline soil with leafmould[200, 238]. Another report says that it grows best in a deep loam or clay soil[4]. Grows well on limey woodland soils in half shade, though it also succeeds in deep shade and in full sun[1]. A very ornamental plant[1]. It grows well in the rock garden[1] and in the woodland[188]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[188]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a moist soil in a shady position[1]. The stored seed requires stratification for about 3 weeks at 0 - 5°c. Germination takes 1 - 12 months at 10°c. It is probably worthwhile sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division just as the leafless plant comes into flower in late winter. Replant immediately into their permanent positions.

Links

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.

[19] Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[54] Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Interesting reading.

[65] Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984 ISBN 0723408394
Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Hepatica nobilis

Irena Fri Jan 18 2008

Hello! Does anybody know where it's possible in London, UK to buy Hepatica Nobilis? Please get in touch with my via email.

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