Rain-kissed flowers of Viola pedata
Two flower colour morphs of bird’s-foot violet are common: the solidly lilac-coloured flowers in today’s photograph and a bi-coloured version, with the upper two petals coloured a dark purple.
Bird’s-foot violet is distributed throughout the eastern USA. In Canada, it is known to currently occupy only five sites in southwestern Ontario. Of these five sites, one location has ca. 6500 individuals representing over 90% of Canada’s plants. As one might conclude, it is considered an endangered species in Canada.
The US Forest Service has a Plant of the Week site. The author for the Viola pedata entry relays a number of factual tidbits: Viola pedata is sometimes referred to as the queen of the violets; its seeds are ejected a small distance when the fruits open; ants, upon discovering the sugary-coated seeds, transport them and help with dispersal; and, long-tongued bees are one of the main pollinators.
With this photo, I finally figured out why it’s called “bird’s foot” violet … the leaves look like a bird’s foot! Not the wide heart-shaped leaves that I associate with violets.
A lovely photo…finding this violet is a special treat.
Refreshing.. delightful! Thanks for this.
Stunning photo. So nice to see the moisture. We haven’t had decent rain here in southeastern Colorado since July. Thanks for sharing. JWT
Beautiful photo. Is that an ant on the petal at upper left?
I don’t believe so. Just a bit of translucence caused by being soaked with water.
A lovely native. When it likes its environment it will reseed happily!
One of my favorite wildflowers! They bloom here on Cape Cod in early May. Looking forward with great anticipation. Thanks for sending photo and information – – and for all that you do.
Remarkable picture
I guess I take the lovely little flowers for granted. At this time of year, they are everywhere here in southern New Jersey. Most lawns are almost purple with these violets. Thanks for the lovely photo.
Very pretty but surely the “queen of the violets” should smell strongly of violets? Is it fragrant?
From my reading, it is suggested it is “mildly fragrant in some ecotypes”.