Native Plants
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Viola labradorica
Viola labradorica Schrank
Alpine Violet, American Dog Violet
Violaceae (Violet Family)
Synonym(s): Viola adunca var. minor, Viola conspersa
USDA Symbol: VILA10
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
A leafy-stemmed violet, this perennial is 4-8 in. tall, with dainty, pale blue or purple flowers. The leaves have small, rounded teeth. Each plant usually has two to four flowering stalks. A low plant with leaves and light bluish-violet flowers on same stalk.
The very similar Long-spurred Violet (V. rostrata) has pale blue flowers with darker blue centers and spurs 1/2-1" (1.5-2.5 cm) long; it is found from Ontario and Quebec south to Wisconsin, Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia. Prostrate Blue Violet (V. walteri), a southern species growing from Ohio south to Texas and Florida, is densely hairy. Also very similar, Western Dog Violet or Hooked-spur Violet (V. adunca) is a northern species found in dry rocky habitats throughout western North America and as far south as South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New England in the eastern half.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CO , DC , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , ND , NH , NJ , NY , PA , VT , WICanada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Que. to s. Ont. & e. ND, s. to MD & n.e. IL; also mts. to AL
Native Habitat: Damp or dry, open woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds
Propagation
Seed Collection: Seeds are difficult to collect.Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC | FAC | FACW | FAC |
Web Reference
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 labradorica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Viola labradorica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viola labradorica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-03Research By: TWC Staff