Hepatica Leaf

Two species of Hepatica can be found in the eastern forest: Hepatica acutiloba and Hepatica americana. The species can be distinguished by the shape of their leaves. This one, with acute, sharp-tipped leaves, is Hepatica acutiloba. Hepatica americana has round lobes. These are leaves left over from last growing season. Thick and leathery, they survive the winter intact, for the most part. They are stiff and strong and shiny. New leaves start to form around this time, but come out fuzzy and light green.
Hepatica gets its name from the appearance of the leaves, which due to the mottled purple color and the three lobes, reminded people of the liver. Hepatica refers to liver.