Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa; Ranunculaceae
I wouldn’t have seen this plant if I didn’t know exactly where to look, for it was mostly covered by fallen oak and beech leaves. Hepatica is a true evergreen forb: the leaves (in a basal rosette) re-grow after the plant flowers and last all year, until the next time the plant flowers.
In early April start watching for the blossoms, on naked stems standing a few inches tall:
I’m forever grateful to the kind Swedish couple who told me where to look for hepatica.
Elizabeth's Wildflower Blog 
Just wanted to thank you for trusting that I wasn’t a plant poacher and telling me where to find these plants. Had to make two visits to the area you described before spotting them. The first time I went, I realized I only remembered what the flowers looked like, not the leaves, and of course they had long since stopped blooming. Came back to your blog to check the pictures, went out again, and there they were! Really appreciate your help, as I’ve been looking for this plant for two seasons. Any idea why it’s so rare in the area?
Hi, LW, thanks for visiting, and you’re welcome. I don’t know why they are so rare, but I’m going to try to research the issue. If I learn anything I’ll post about it.
Funny, just this afternoon I was out hiking in the same area and found a second stand of them (5 plants).
Just want to let you know I found a patch of hepatica myself this year, in bloom. Near Carderock, in my favorite wildflower spot. White flowers, not bluish. Now I need a new wildflower quest!
that’s great news! Glad there are more out there. Such a lovely flower.