Native Plants
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Viola sempervirens
Viola sempervirens Greene
Evergreen Violet
Violaceae (Violet Family)
Synonym(s): Viola sarmentosa
USDA Symbol: VISE3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
A low, trailing, almost evergreen violet, rooting along the extending stems. Leaves are small, almost round, and deep, dull green. Bright yellow flowers rise 1-2 in. above the leaves. Stems creep across ground, producing mats of thick, leathery, broadly heart-shaped leaves, and bilaterally symmetrical clear yellow flowers that face outward, hanging on short stalks barely as tall as the leaves.
One of the most common wildflowers within the dim redwood forest, lining many of the trails in the parks of the region. The mats of leaves persist throughout the winter, giving one common name and making this a choice plant for the woodland garden.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, up to about 1 foot long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , PurpleBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Often purple veined.
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: W. slope of the Cascade to the Pacific coast from B.C. to Monterey Co., CA
Native Habitat: Moist woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Flowering peaks in spring is continues almost year-round near the coast. May self-seed.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 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
Research Literature
Reslit 2849 - A Fascicle of Violets (1899) Edward L. GreeneThis information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
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Additional resources
USDA: Find Viola sempervirens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Viola sempervirens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viola sempervirens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-04Research By: TWC Staff