March
14
Round-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica
americana)
Heartleaf (Hexastylis
arifolia)
These
perennials bloom in southern woods from March to May. But
the lavender blue Hepatica flower “petals”
are really sepals. The Heartleaf flowers don’t have petals
either. Those flowers are sometimes called little pink
piggies in the bud stage, or later, when they open, little
brown jugs. The seeds are found in the base of the vessel.
Both plants have thick leather-like evergreen leaves that
almost look like plastic. They are similar in color, except
that Hepatica leaves are
purple or maroon underneath.
Ground clutter in the painting tells you that these two
plants are found among ferns, under pines and hardwoods
such as maple and beech.
Three insects are to be found in the painting, including
the gnat which will visit the Heartleaf flowers when they
open.
(Click on the picture for a
larger image)
(Click here for the next
painting)