Viola pubescens (Downy Yellow Violet)


Botanical Information

FamilyViolaceae
GenusViola
Speciespubescens
CategoryWildflowers & Weeds

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone1a - 6b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-40 - (-12)
Temperature (°F)-40 - 10
Height15 - 30 cm
Spread15 - 30 cm
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

Notable SpecimensJoany’s Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatIt is found in dry mixed and deciduous woodland areas of the United States and Canada from Minnesota and Ontario to Nova Scotia, South to Virginia.
Leaf DescriptionAlternate, simple, palmately-veined, petiolate; stem leaves 2–4, usually crowded near the top of the stem; plants sometimes also bearing 1–5 basal leaves. Leaf blades broadly cordate or reniform to orbicular, 3–10 cm long and 1–3 cm wider than long; pale to dark green, hairy or glabrate; leaf base cordate, the angle between the basal lobes (sinus) broad and open; apex blunt to acute; margins crenate; stipules lanceolate to ovate.
Flower DescriptionBisexual, axillary, peduncles slender and downy. Sepals 5, narrowly lanceolate, acute; petals 5, yellow, veined with purple, lateral petals bearded; stamens 5, anthers connivent; the single pistil with a superior ovary. Cleistogamous flowers are borne in the axils of the leaves.
Fruit DescriptionAn ovoid capsule, usually pubescent, but occasionally glabrous, 5–12 mm long; seeds pale 2.5–2.9 mm long. Fruits mature in mid summer.

Photographs