Canada Violet:
The Canada Violet (top left) can be up to 18" tall and has broad oval or heart shaped leaves with pointed tips. The lower petal of the flower has striped fine dark lines. Blooming season continues from April through July. This violet grows in rich woods at altitudes up to 4000'.
Long-Spurred Violet:
This unique violet (top right) with a long spur is usually blue but sometimes white. It can be found on moist wooded slopes at elevations up to 3500'. Blooming season usually is April and May.
Bird's Foot Violet:
The Bird's Foot Violet shown above usually has lavender to purple petals; however, one variety has two dark purple upper petals , and occasionally, you may find this beautiful violet with all white petals. The flower may be up to 1" wide with the lower petal wider than the other four petals. The inside of the blossom will be decorated with orange antlers. Look for this plant from March through June in dry, open woods along GSM trails and roads at elevations from 1000' to 3000'.
|
Violets:
The above violets were photographed in April. The Canada Violet was photographed at Cove Hardwood Nature Trail (GSM) and the Long-Spurred Violet was found on Cucumber Gap Trail out of Elkmont Camp Ground (GSM). There are more than 50 varieties of violets in the Southern Appalachian area with most being colored blue or purple. Violets often hybridize, making it difficult to determine species.
Round-Leaved Violet:
The Yellow Round-Leaved Violet is the only "stemless" yellow violet with flowers and stems on separate stalks. The small, beautiful flower has brown veins and a lateral beard in its 3 lower petals. The round, fine toothed leaves which resemble galax leaves, lie close to the ground, can reach a width of 4", and are often retained through winter. Look for this plant in rich soils at all elevations. Blooming time usually is March and April, but occasionally you may find it as late as July.
|
|
Halberd-Leaved Yellow Violet:
The Yellow Halberd-Leaved Violet has a five petal flower with brown veins on the lower petals and the back of the flower sometimes has a purple tinge. Growing 4"-10" tall, the plant produces two to three variegated arrow shaped leaves each year. Look for this beautiful violet from March through May at elevations up to 3000' in rich, moist, deciduous woods.
|
|