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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 15 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WACanada: 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 , ShadeSoil 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: yesFragrant Flowers: yes
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) ![]() Larval Host |
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 |
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) 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
Additional resources
USDA: Find Viola glabella in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Viola glabella in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viola glabella
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-03Research By: TWC Staff