David J. Hand's Nature Photos
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    • Salamanders >
      • Ringed Salamander [Ambystoma annulatum]
      • Jefferson Salamander 1 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]
      • Jefferson Salamamders 2 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]
      • Blue-Spotted Salamander [Ambystoma laterale]
      • Jefferson Complex [Ambystoma jeffersonianum x laterale]
      • Spotted Salamander 1 [Ambystoma maculatum]
      • Spotted Salamanders 2 [Ambystoma maculatum]
      • Marbled Salamander 1 [Ambystoma opacum]
      • Marbled Salamanders 2 [Ambystoma opacum]
      • Marbled Salamander 3 [Ambystoma opacum]
      • Mole Salamander [Ambystoma talpoideum]
      • Northern Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus fuscus]
      • Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus ochrophaeus]
      • Allegheny Mountain Dusky x Northern Dusky Salamander Complex [ Desmognathus ochrophaeus x Desmognathus fuscus]
      • Black- Bellied Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus quadramaculatus]
      • Northern two-lined Salamander [Eurycea bislineata]
      • Northern Spring Salamander 1 [Gyrinophilus porphyriticus]
      • Northern Spring Salamanders 2 [Gyrinophilus porphyriticus]
      • Four-toed Salamander [Hemidactylium scutatum]
      • Eastern Red Spotted Newt [Notophthalmus viridescens]
      • Eastern Red-back Salamander 1 [Plethodon cinereus]
      • Eastern Red-back Salamanders 2 [Plethodon cinereus]
      • Northern Slimy Salamander [Plethodon glutinosus]
      • Northern Red Salamander [Pseudotriton ruber]
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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.
Picture
Picture
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.  ​
Picture
Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.
Picture
Picture
Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.
Picture
Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.
Picture
Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.
Picture
Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.
Picture
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. 
Picture
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.  
Picture
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.
  • Home
  • Photos
    • Maddie and Sam
    • Mackinac Island & Michigan
    • Sharp Lobed Hepatica
    • Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Green Flowering]
    • Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica 2022
    • Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica 2023
    • Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [2024]
    • Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica 2025
    • Round Lobed Hepatica
    • Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens]
    • Wildflowers 1
    • Wildflowers 2
    • Wildflowers 3
    • Pennsylvania Native Plants 1
    • Pennsylvania Native Plants 2
    • Pennsylvania Native Plants 3
    • Coos County, New Hampshire
    • Plant Pollination and Reproduction
    • Plants in Winter
    • Native Orchids
    • Miniature Orchids & Terrarium Plants
    • Insects
    • Insects 2
    • Spiders
    • Dragonflies And Damselflies
    • Reptiles
    • Turtles
    • Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus]
    • Amphibians
    • Vernal Pool Life
    • Salamanders >
      • Ringed Salamander [Ambystoma annulatum]
      • Jefferson Salamander 1 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]
      • Jefferson Salamamders 2 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]
      • Blue-Spotted Salamander [Ambystoma laterale]
      • Jefferson Complex [Ambystoma jeffersonianum x laterale]
      • Spotted Salamander 1 [Ambystoma maculatum]
      • Spotted Salamanders 2 [Ambystoma maculatum]
      • Marbled Salamander 1 [Ambystoma opacum]
      • Marbled Salamanders 2 [Ambystoma opacum]
      • Marbled Salamander 3 [Ambystoma opacum]
      • Mole Salamander [Ambystoma talpoideum]
      • Northern Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus fuscus]
      • Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus ochrophaeus]
      • Allegheny Mountain Dusky x Northern Dusky Salamander Complex [ Desmognathus ochrophaeus x Desmognathus fuscus]
      • Black- Bellied Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus quadramaculatus]
      • Northern two-lined Salamander [Eurycea bislineata]
      • Northern Spring Salamander 1 [Gyrinophilus porphyriticus]
      • Northern Spring Salamanders 2 [Gyrinophilus porphyriticus]
      • Four-toed Salamander [Hemidactylium scutatum]
      • Eastern Red Spotted Newt [Notophthalmus viridescens]
      • Eastern Red-back Salamander 1 [Plethodon cinereus]
      • Eastern Red-back Salamanders 2 [Plethodon cinereus]
      • Northern Slimy Salamander [Plethodon glutinosus]
      • Northern Red Salamander [Pseudotriton ruber]
    • Wildlife
    • Birds
    • Moths
    • Moths 2
    • Caterpillars
    • Butterflies 1
    • Butterflies 2
    • Mushrooms
    • Carnivorous Plants
    • Lichens, Mosses and Fungi
    • Ferns
    • Grasses
    • Trees
    • Leaves
    • Scenery
    • Farming
    • Winter
    • Nature's Designs
    • 15 Orchids.July 2015,New Hampshire
    • Molly
    • Tracie
    • Fishing >
      • Buy Pictures >
        • Fine Art America
        • Alamy >
          • Amphibians
          • Insects
          • Orchids
          • Nature Pictures
          • Reptiles
          • Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander [Desmognathus ochrophaeus]
          • Salamanders
          • Scenery
          • Wildflowers
    • Antique Machinery
    • Miscellaneous[This and that]
    • Historic Hudson Valley, October 2015
    • The Hermitage,Mahantongo Valley,Schuylkill county,8-9-15
    • Garden flowers
    • Christmas
    • Indy 500.May,29,2016.100th Anniversary
    • WW II Aircraft
  • Subject Of The Month
  • About
  • Contact
  • New Page
  • New Page
  • New Page
  • Untitled