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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Viola glabella

Viola glabella Nutt.

Pioneer Violet, Smooth Yellow Violet

Violaceae (Violet Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: VIGL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

This is a 4-15 in. violet with large, bright-green, heart-shaped basal leaves just below the deep-yellow, pansy-like flowers. The lateral and lower petals are marked with purple veins. Slender leaning or erect stems with leaves only in upper one-third, and bilaterally symmetrical, yellow flowers facing outward, hanging from slender stalks.

A very common species in moist, shaded places in woods. Most western Violets have yellow rather than purple corollas, but all have the perky little flower with a spur or pouch behind the lower petal. The lower petal forms a landing platform for insects seeking nectar within the spur.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 15 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Sometimes purple veined.

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: C. & n. CA to AK, e. to the northern Rockies
Native Habitat: Cool, moist redwood forests; stream banks

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Smooth yellow violet is easy to establish in woodland gardens. It may reseed and can become a bit invasive.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Silver-bordered Fritillary
(Boloria selene)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACW	FAC							FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viola glabella in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viola glabella in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viola glabella

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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