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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Viola walteri (Walter’s violet)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Viola walteri House

Walter’s violet, Prostrate blue violet

Violaceae (Violet Family)

USDA Symbol: viwa

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This subtly attractive violet of deciduous, eastern woodlands colonizes by both rhizomes and above-ground runners, but only with adequate moisture. In drier soils, it will remain widely spaced. In the wild, it is found in moist, deciduous woods along with Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), trilliums, and Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens).

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Notes: Up to 6 inches high
Leaf: Light green
Flower: Flower 1 inch
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , KY , LA , MS , NC , OH , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Ohio south to the Gulf
Native Habitat: Moist, deciduous woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, acid or slightly alkaline sands and loams
Conditions Comments: Must have moisture to colonize densely, but also requires good drainage. Will be more widely spaced in drier soils. Naturally grows in deciduous forests, not pine forests.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: An attractive violet for moist, deciduous woodlands and small shade gardens
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division , Seeds
Maintenance: Water for a more solid cover.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-12-05
Research By: TWC Staff

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