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Cressler, Alan

Viola walteri

Viola walteri House

Walter's Violet, Prostrate Blue Violet

Violaceae (Violet Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: viwa

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to 6 inches high
Leaf: Light green
Flower: Flower 1 inch

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

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.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FACU	UPL		FACU	FACU

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:

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

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 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: 2023-01-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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