46 Hepatica triloba, «. obtusa.
ture, shining, and covered with a few scattered hairs above, nearly
naked on the under side. Lobes obtuse, and equal to each other in
size, mottled with purple and deep olive-green above, and purple and
light green beneath. Petioles very long, often eight inches, twisted or
involute towards their junction with the leaves, they are purplish, covered
with a few hairs, and invested at their base with several membranaceous
sheathes, which inclose also the scapes. Scapes several
from each root, at first very short, with the concealed flower droop-
ing, covered with a long silken pubescence of an ash colour, afterwards
elongating, and supporting each a single flower. Calix leaves
the shape of a mouse s ear, and resembling it. Petals varying from six
to nine, of a fine campanula-purple colour, sometimes, but rarely,
white. Anthers straw-yellow^ Grows in rich woods among decayed
leaves, under which it is frequently found in flower while the snow is
on the ground.
The table represents the plant of its natural size.