Hepatica

Genuine Hepatica ( Hepatica nobilis)

The genus Hepatica ( Hepatica ) belongs to the family of the buttercup family ( Ranunculaceae ). Some botanists include the genus Hepatica in the genus Anemone ( For details see the section on systematics ). The name Hepatica as well as the German name liverwort refers to the shape of the leaves, reminiscent of the shape of the human liver in outline. According to the doctrine of signatures was believed in the healing power of liverworts in liver disease. The liverworts are common in the northern hemisphere. Large-flowered species and hybrids are popular garden plants, especially in Japan, where they are cultivated in many colors and flower forms since the 18th century.

Description

The liverworts are perennial, herbaceous plants. The dense rhizome spring undergraduate leaves. The leaf blade is divided into three to five lobes and cut up to half of blade. The leaves are entire or toothed. The hermaphroditic individual flowers are terminal directly above the three calyx-like, green bracts ( involucre ), which envelop the flower buds protectively and thus take over the protective function of the missing chalice. The flowers are radial symmetry with numerous stamens and numerous free carpels.

The seeds of liverworts is mainly spread by ants (called myrmecochory ). As is typical for plants myrmekochore diasporas have a nutrient-rich appendage, a Elaiosom that serves as a lock- and Nährkörper. The Elaiosom is intended solely for consumption. Ants delay the diasporas because of their Elaiosom appendages in their construction and disconnect there the Elaiosom of the diaspore. The seed is then removed from the building and placed on the waste pile the respective colony. The seed is there usually ideal germination conditions and at the same time is several feet away from the parent plant.

System

On the systematic position of the liverwort, there are two views. On the one hand speak phylogenetic studies for inclusion in a broad genus Anemone sl. However, this would mean that all Anemoninae be combined into one class. On the other hand, there are still reasons for splitting the genus Anemone sl in several classes. For example, have the species in the genus Hepatica a reduced basic chromosome number x = 7 (compared to x = 8 for the anemone in the narrower sense). Due to lack of sufficient genetic studies and the structure within the genus Hepatica is confused and unclear. Depending on the author includes the genus between four and twelve species, two of which occur in Europe.

• Hepatica henryi growing in China, tetraploid chromosome number 2n = 28 Dezhi and Robinson Close this Hepatica yamatutae, which a much later created, independent kind is by Zonneveldaufgrund genetic studies which is endemic on Emei Shan in Sichuan, but the same parent species as Hepatica henryi has.
• Hepatica maxima is endemic to the South Korean island of Ulleungdo. In frost-free climate, plants formed with the largest leaves and flowers in this genus. Hepatica maxima is diploid with the chromosome number 2n = 14

• Hepatica nobilis var nobilis - From Scandinavia to the Alps and the Pyrenees. When possible locations of beech and oak forests are preferred with calcareous, base-rich loamy soil. In the Alps, it rises to altitudes of 2200 meters.
• Hepatica nobilis var asiatica (syn. Hepatica asiatica ) East China, forests and grassy slopes of 700-1100 m.
• Hepatica nobilis var insularis (syn. Hepatica insularis )
• Hepatica nobilis var japonica (syn. Hepatica japonica)
• Hepatica nobilis var pubescens (syn. Hepatica pubescens) This is the only tetraploid race (chromosome number 2n = 28).
• Hepatica nobilis var acuta (syn. acutiloba Hepatica, Anemone acutiloba ) eastern North America, characterized by pointed leaves and lime deposits.

• Hepatica transsilvanica is tetraploid with chromosome number 2n = 28 and occurs in Romanian mountain forests. This Transylvanian hepatica has notched leaves with 3-5 lobes, with large flowers up to 4 cm in diameter and eight petals and bracts with 2 or 3 small teeth.

The occurring in mountain forests of Central Asia falconeri Anemone ( Hepatica Syn falconeri ) separates the genus Anemone and Hepatica. Morphologically it is Anemone closer, but has the chromosome number 2n = 14 and is regarded as a parent of three Hepatica species. It is believed that this type is a primal liverworts relic. From Central Asia then the liverworts have spread both to Europe and to the Far East and an existing in the Miocene land bridge and into eastern North America.

Swell

• Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 11 May 2012
• Michael Alexander Commichau: Hepatica: Current Digest of the genus. Self Publishing, Suhl, enlarged edition 2007.