Pronounced (approximate): heh-PAT-ih-kuh ah-kyoo-tih-LOH-bah
Basal leaves have three pointed lobes. Solitary white, pink, or purple flowers rise on hairy stalks.
Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba): close view of spring flowers. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Ranunculaceae
Life cycle Herbaceous perennial
Blooms Early spring
Height 4–6 inches
Habitat Rich deciduous woods and moist, well-drained bluff slopes
Common names
Sharp-lobed Hepatica · Sharp-lobed Liverleaf
Bloom timing and height vary with location. Native status refers to North America; see the regional range below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Rich deciduous woods and moist, well-drained bluff slopes. Flowering season: early spring.
Also treated as Hepatica americana var. acuta or Anemone acutiloba. Check the pointed leaf lobes when comparing it with Round-lobed Hepatica; both can have similar flower colors.
Basal leaves have three pointed lobes.
Three pointed green bracts sit just beneath each flower.
Look for herbaceous perennial growth in rich deciduous woods and moist, well-drained bluff slopes. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
14 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it.
Eastern Canada and the north-central and eastern United States.
Reported U.S. native distribution
AL, AR, CT, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI
State records describe documented distribution, not presence in every county. The observation map shows reported sightings and may include cultivated plants.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Sharp-lobed Hepatica in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.
