Hepatica are one of the first woodland wildflowers to bloom in Iowa. Their beautiful emergence from the forest floor is my favorite phenological event of the year. Hepatica leaves from the year before stay with the plant all winter until the next spring's blooming period. The leaves may photosynthesize to some extent on warm winter days, thus Hepatica is able to flower before other wildflowers. The old leaves wither after flowers have formed fruits and new leaves are produced.
Hepatica flower stalks emerge covered in a protective ''hairy fur" to help insulate them from cool early spring temperatures. Both the flower stalk and the young leaves to the base are covered with these little downy hairs. Hepatica has no medical or edible uses. A true joy of early spring; I love finding the first Hepatica of spring.
No comments:
Post a Comment