Thursday, March 31, 2011

Wildflowers of Ainsworth: Sharp-Lobed Hepatica

Sharp-lobedHepatica
(Click on image to enlarge)

Found in the woods in Deep River County Park. This delicate-looking flower is often the first woodland wildflower to bloom. Note the dark, half-dead leaf at the lower right of the photo — that's left over from last year, and the new leaves will grow when this year's bloom is over. The liver-like color of the old leaves is the source of the name, Hepatica, from the Greek word for liver.

I can't believe I didn't get this flower last year, but I've searched the blog and can't find it, so I suppose it's possible … and yet, I have this terrible feeling of déjà vu.

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