Viola rostrata, commonly called the long-spurred violet, is an herbaceous plant in the violet family (Violaceae). It is native to eastern North America, where it is found in Canada and the United States, primarily in the Northeastern, Midwestern, and Appalachian regions. Its natural habitat is acidic mesic forests, often growing near Tsuga canadensis.
Description It is a stemmed perennial plant. The cauline leaves are simple, toothed, ovate and acute. Basal leaves are cordate and 2–4 cm. It produces flowers in the spring. The flowers are beardless, pale lilac with darker veins forming a darker centre eye.Gleason, Henry A and Arthur Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, 2nd ed. New York Botanical Gardens, New York, New York. The spur is at least as long as the petal blades.Rhoads, Ann Fowler and Timothy A Block. 2007. Plants of Pennsylvania: an illustrated manual, 2nd ed. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia.
Hybrids Viola rostrata is known to hybridize with Viola conspersa (American dog-violet) and Viola striata (creamy violet).
References
External links USDA Plants Database profile: Viola rostrata