Anemone hepatica

Taxobox
name = "Anemone hepatica"


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ranunculales
familia = Ranunculaceae
genus = Anemone
species = "A". "hepatica"
binomial = "Anemone hepatica"
binomial_authority = L.

"Anemone hepatica" (common names: Kidneywort, liverwort, pennywort, Common Hepatica) 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, [cite web | title=Taxonomic Serial No.: 508848 | url=http://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=508848 | work=Integrated Taxonomic Information System] although at least one recent study of the phylogeny calls for all of "Hepatica" to be included in "Anemone". [cite journal | title=Phylogenetic Relationships in Anemone (Ranunculaceae) Based on Morphology and Chloroplast DNA | url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0363-6445(199401%2F03)19%3A1%3C169%3APRIA(B%3E2.0.CO%3B2-O | journal=Systematic Botany | volume=19 | issue=1 | date=Jan. - Mar., 1994 | pages=169–200 | doi=10.2307/2419720 | author=Sara B. Hoot, Anton A. Reznicek, Jeffrey D. Palmer] 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. (S. B. Hoot et al. 1994). [ [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=101733 Anemone in Flora of North America @ efloras.org ] ]

Herbalism

It was used by medieval herbalists to treat liver diseases. Modern applications by herbalists include treatments for pimples, bronchitis and gout. [Howard, Michael. "Traditional Folk Remedies" (Century, 1987); p.161-2]

References