Description

Anemone hepatica (common names: Kidneywort, liverwort, pennywort) is an herbaceous member of the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family that is native to the forest floors of temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It has been called Hepatica nobilis also, although at least one recent study of the phylogeny calls for all of Hepatica to be included in Anemone. It grows on stone walls, rocks and in woodlands. The variety H. nobilis var. nobilis is native to Europe.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the genus Anemone and its species is still not fully resolved. Anemone acutiloba and Anemone americana have traditionally been placed in the genus Hepatica Miller, based on the involucre immediately subtending the flower, lobed leaves instead of cut leaves and the foliage persisting year round. But the latest phylogenetic studies of Anemone analyzed, surveyed broadly over its range of species, indicates that Hepatica should be included under Anemone. Hepatica does have some morphological differences with other Anemone species, but greater similarities both in molecular attributes and other shared morphologies would seem to outweigh the differences.

Herbalism

It was used by medieval herbalists to treat liver diseases. Modern applications by herbalists include treatments for pimples, bronchitis and gout.