Question: Is there a way to tell sharp vs blunt-lobed hepatica (what I thought it was) before the leaves come out? …
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Question
Is there a way to tell sharp vs blunt-lobed hepatica (what I thought it was) before the leaves come out? East Montpelier, VT 4/23/16
Answer
Dear joshl, yes, there is a way to tell the species of Anemone before the leaves fully expand. If you examine the three green bracts below the flowers, the shape at the apex is distinctive. Anemone americana has very blunt (usually rounded) bract apices, while Anemone acutiloba has somewhat pointed bract apices. The bracts in your image, assuming they are fully expanded, look most like Anemone acutiloba. Best wishes.
