Hepatica nobilis
The beautiful purple hues of Hepatica appear in spring, usually before the leaves are out on the trees above. Flowers are followed by the appearance of lobed leaves.
The scientific name of this buttercup relative refers to an ancient belief in the doctrine of signatures. Before the discipline of western medicine arose as we know it, herbalists such as Dioscoroides and Galen believed that the shape of a plant’s parts indicated the corresponding part of the human body which it healed. This plant then was associated with the hepatic system or liver.
Marchantia, a genus of liverworts, was also proscribed for liver ailments. Wyrt from the Old English, meant a plant used for food or medicine. So we have not just liverworts, but moneywort, bellwort and bladderwort.
The image of Hepatica shown here was photographed by Martin Thomas. It joins nine other plant portraits on exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax. It is also one of many images donated by volunteers to illustrate Nova Scotia Plants, launched this month. For your free copy merely select the 'Contact Us' button on this page.
Hepatica nobilis, photo by Martin Thomas
The beautiful purple hues of Hepatica appear in spring, usually before the leaves are out on the trees above. Flowers are followed by the appearance of lobed leaves.
The scientific name of this buttercup relative refers to an ancient belief in the doctrine of signatures. Before the discipline of western medicine arose as we know it, herbalists such as Dioscoroides and Galen believed that the shape of a plant’s parts indicated the corresponding part of the human body which it healed. This plant then was associated with the hepatic system or liver.
Marchantia, a genus of liverworts, was also proscribed for liver ailments. Wyrt from the Old English, meant a plant used for food or medicine. So we have not just liverworts, but moneywort, bellwort and bladderwort.
The image of Hepatica shown here was photographed by Martin Thomas. It joins nine other plant portraits on exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax. It is also one of many images donated by volunteers to illustrate Nova Scotia Plants, launched this month. For your free copy merely select the 'Contact Us' button on this page.
Hepatica nobilis, photo by Martin Thomas
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