Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica 2023 [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. I was fortunate to discover this rare colony of double flowing plants interspersed with hundreds of normally flowing Hepatica last year. There were 32 of these double flowering plants found last year in 2022[one plant would be considered an extraordinary find]. In 2023, 23 of these extraordinary plants were found in the same area as the plants in 2022.  There is a wonderful mystery surrounding these particular plants in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, just how they ever came to be. As they have no stamen or stigma [male and female parts] of the plant to reproduce [there are no seeds produced by these plants]. What is at work here that produces plants like these, is there some kind of genetic mutation? Only time will tell and it would be okay with me if we never know the wonderful mystery of these plants. For now just enjoy the extraordinary beauty of these spring ephemerals from the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. Notice the white with a blush of pink with a hint of yellow in these particular flowers.

This is what is referred to as a "Maiden" flower. Only having stigma [female parts] and no stamens [male parts]. It is still possible for these plants to reproduce and have fruit or seeds, if it gets pollen from an adjacent flower with stamens. This plant is in the same area as the double flowering plants, I can't help but wonder if this and other maiden plants in the area are somehow responsible for the mystery of rare double flowering plants found here. Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. Update, it is has now been confirmed that "Maiden" flowers are in fact the first step in producing Double Flowering Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. But it does not solve the mystery as to how and why these plants [Maiden and Double Flowering plants] are in this particular area.  ​

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. 32 double flowering plants were found in this area in 2022, in 2023, 23 double flowering plants were found at the same location. ​

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. 32 double flowering plants were found in this area in 2022, in 2023, 23 double flowering plants were found at the same location. 

This is what is referred to as a "Maiden" flower. Only having stigma [female parts] and no stamens [male parts]. It is still possible for these plants to reproduce and have fruit or seeds, if it gets pollen from an adjacent flower with stamens. This plant is in the same area as the double flowering plants, I can't help but wonder if this and other maiden plants in the area are somehow responsible for the mystery of rare double flowering plants found here. Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. Update, it is has now been confirmed that "Maiden" flowers are in fact the first step in producing Double Flowering Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. But it does not solve the mystery as to how and why these plants [Maiden and Double Flowering plants] are in this particular area.  

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. I was fortunate to discover this rare colony of double flowing plants interspersed with hundreds of normally flowing Hepatica last year. There were 32 of these double flowering plants found last year [2022],[one plant would be considered an extraordinary find]. In 2023, 23 of these extraordinary plants were found in the same area as the plants in 2022. There is a wonderful mystery surrounding these particular plants in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, just how they ever came to be. As they have no stamen or stigma [male and female parts] of the plant to reproduce [there are no seeds produced by these plants]. What is at work here that produces plants like these, is there some kind of genetic mutation? Only time will tell and it would be okay with me if we never know the wonderful mystery of these plants. For now just enjoy the extraordinary beauty of these spring ephemerals from the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. Notice the white with a blush of pink with a hint of yellow in these particular flowers.