Viola langsdorffii |
Viola lithion |
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Alaska violet, Aleutian violet, Langsdorff's violet, violette de Langsdorff |
rock violet |
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Habit | Plants perennial, caulescent, not stoloniferous, 2–30 cm. | Plants perennial, caulescent, not stoloniferous, 5–15 cm. |
Stems | 1–3, ascending to erect, usually glabrous, from shallow, fleshy rhizome. |
1–3, ascending to erect, glabrous, on caudex from fleshy rhizome. |
Leaves | basal and cauline; basal: 2–3; stipules broadly ovate to deltate or long-lanceolate, margins often glandular (glands sessile or stalked), apex acute; petiole 0.8–21 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; blade ovate to reniform, 0.9–5.8 × 1–6 cm, base cordate to ± truncate, margins crenate to crenate-serrulate, usually eciliate, apex rounded or acute to usually obtuse, surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent on adaxial veins, seldom on abaxial veins; cauline similar to basal except: stipules broadly ovate to lanceolate-oblong or deltate, apex acute to acuminate; petiole 2.2–12.1 cm; blade 1.9–4.2 × 1.8–5.9 cm. |
basal and cauline; basal: 1–4; stipules unknown; petiole 1–10 cm, glabrous, sometimes finely puberulent; blade broadly ovate or deltate to broadly deltate, 1–2.5(–2.9) × 0.6–2.2(–2.6) cm, base usually cordate to truncate, rarely rounded, margins crenate-dentate, eciliate, apex acute, surfaces glabrous; cauline similar to basal except: stipules lanceolate, margins usually fimbriate-toothed, sometimes entire, apex attenuate or acute; petiole 1.1–3.7 cm, sometimes finely puberulent; blade ovate to deltate, 0.7–2.2 × 0.4–1.2 cm, base sometimes rounded on distal blades. |
Peduncles | 2.2–20.7 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. |
3–6(–10) cm, glabrous. |
Flowers | sepals lanceolate to ovate, margins eciliate, auricles 0.5–1.5 mm; petals light to deep violet on both surfaces, lower 3 white basally and light to deep violet-veined, lateral 2 bearded, lowest 12–24 mm, spur white to violet, gibbous to elongated, 2–5 mm, usually less than 1/2 lowest petal, tip straight; style head usually beardless, sometimes bearded; cleistogamous flowers axillary. |
sepals lanceolate, margins eciliate, auricles 0.5–1 mm; petals blue to pale violet on both surfaces with yellow area basally, lower 3 purple-veined, lowest with yellow area, lateral 2 bearded, lowest 5.5–11 mm, spur white to pale violet, gibbous, 0.5–1.3 mm; style head bearded; cleistogamous flowers unknown. |
Capsules | ovoid to oblong, 7.5–13 mm, glabrous. |
subglobose, ca. 5 mm, glabrous. |
Seeds | dark olive to ± black, 2.5–2.8 mm. |
dark brown, ca. 1.8 mm. |
2n | = 12. |
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Viola langsdorffii |
Viola lithion |
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Phenology | Flowering Apr–Aug. | Flowering Jun–Aug. |
Habitat | Swamps, bogs, fens, wet meadows, stream banks, rocky slopes, usually near coast | Seasonally wet cracks and crevices, narrow ledges of rock outcrops, shaded northeast-facing avalanche chutes, cirque headwalls, subalpine conifer zone |
Elevation | 0–1500 m (0–4900 ft) | 2300–3100 m (7500–10200 ft) |
Distribution |
AK; CA; OR; WA; BC; YT; Asia
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NV; UT |
Discussion | Viola simulata and V. superba are closely related to V. langsdorffii (L. Abrams and R. S. Ferris 1923–1960, vol. 3). They were treated by C. L. Hitchcock et al. (1955–1969, vol. 3) as synonymous with V. langsdorffii pending further study. E. Brainerd (1921) stated that Viola langsdorffii presents an interesting transition between the caulescent and acaulescent violets. Plants of the species are reported from Winchester Grade in Idaho (Gail s.n., 1931, ID); verification is needed. Viola langsdorffii is reported to have fleshy rhizomes. Plants in Del Norte County, California, have fleshy rhizomes near the soil surface, but these are connected to deeper, subligneous rhizomes. The style in some populations of Viola langsdorffii is reported to be sometimes bearded (G. W. Douglas et al. 1998–2002, vol. 5; W. J. Cody 2000). Illustrations in V. B. Baird (1942; location of plant unknown) and M. S. Baker (1936; a plant from Alaska) show a beardless style; L. Abrams and R. S. Ferris (1923–1960, vol. 3) and C. L. Hitchcock et al. (1955–1969, vol. 3) reported that the style head was beardless. Styles are beardless in plants occurring in Del Norte County, California. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Of conservation concern. Viola lithion is known only from the White Pine Range in Nevada and the Pilot Range straddling the Nevada-Utah border. It is related to V. canadensis and V. flettii. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Source | FNA vol. 6, p. 136. | FNA vol. 6, p. 136. |
Parent taxa | Violaceae > Viola | Violaceae > Viola |
Sibling taxa | ||
Synonyms | V. simulata, V. superba | |
Name authority | Fischer ex Gingins: in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 1: 296. (1824) | N. H. Holmgren & P. K. Holmgren: Brittonia 44: 300, fig. 1A – D. (1992) |
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