Practical
Plants

Hepatica nobilis

Hepatica

a perennial member of the Hepatica genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.1 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is poisonous in large doses[2][4][6]. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or drying[10].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves and flowers are astringent, demulcent, diuretic, rubefacient, tonic and vulnerary[8][11][12][6]. 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[8][7]. Externally, it is applied to skin diseases, slow healing cuts etc[8][12]. The plant should be harvested in March and April, it can also be dried for later use[8]. Use with caution[6], see notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Environment

Range
Europe.
Habitat
Damp underground in shady deciduous, usually beech, woodlands, scrub and grassland, especially on limestone[11][12][2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep light alkaline soil with leafmould[5][7]. Another report says that it grows best in a deep loam or clay soil[8]. 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[3]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[3]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2

  3. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  4. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  10. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  11. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  12. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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