Violaceae
Violet Family
Viola pedatifida G. Don
- Stem: perennial; very short with basal leaves.
- Leaves: basal; deeply lobed into linear segments, each segment again lobed; blades 1 1/4” by 1 1/2” and larger; leaf stalks 1” to 4” long, smooth; hairs on the margins and veins.
- Inflorescence: flowers solitary on smooth flower stalks from the base of plant; open flowers on flower stalks slightly above the leaves; nonopening flowers on shorter flower stalks.
- Flowers: petals violet, about 5/8” to 3/4” long, with hairs near the base of the lower three petals; sepals 1/4” long; base of flower curved backward under flower stalk forming a spur containing nectar-producing glands; flowering from early to late May.
- Fruits: capsule 7/16” long, opening into three segments; open flowers seldom producing seeds; nonopening flowers on short stalks below the leaves setting fruit through self-pollination; fruiting begins in late May.
- Habitat: frequent on mesic to dry prairies; also on moist prairies.
- Notes: Hybrids between Viola species are not uncommon, and identification of violets is sometimes difficult.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
