Taxonomy
Family: Violaceae
Habitat
Mesic woods. I usually find this species growing along trails.
Associates
Distribution
Most of the northeastern U.S.. A variety of this species (rugulosa) also occurs in the west.
Morphology
Herbaceous perennial from a short, stout rhizome (var. canadensis). Basal leaves usually long petioled, glabrous. Flowers white, tinged with yellow at the base with purple veins. The two upper petals are frequently tinged purple on the back. Style bearded.
Notes
Flowers late April to May
Wetland indicator: Upland
Listed as endangered in IL, ME, NJ, and threatened in CT. It has been extirpated from RI. Seems to be common in Central NY or maybe I am just lucky.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov).
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Michael Hough © 2005 |