Viola palustris L. var. palustris
marsh violet
Violaceae (Violet family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jim Riley     (Photo ID #15443)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Viola palustris var. palustris
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a rhizome, with stolons, plants 5-20 cm tall; stems lacking.
Leaves:
Basal leaves round to heart- or kidney-shaped, the blades 2-7 cm long, 2.5-3.5 cm wide, round-toothed, smooth, the stalks up to 15 cm long; stem leaves lacking; stipules lanceolate, entire.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of single, axillary flowers; petals 5, white to lavender, the lower petal 10-13 mm long including the 2-to 4-mm long pouched spur, the lower 3 purple-pencilled and more or less tinged with lilac, the lateral pair sparsely or not bearded; sepals 5, lanceolate, with earlike lobes at the base; style heads smooth.
Fruits:
Capsules, smooth, 6-7 mm long; dark brown.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Moist to wet streambanks, meadows, swamps, fens and woodlands from the lowland to subalpine zones; common throughout BC except the extreme NE; N to NT, E to NF and S to ME, NY, SD, WY, UT, NV and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia