Viola langsdorffii |
Viola rostrata |
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Alaska violet, Aleutian violet, Langsdorff's violet, violette de Langsdorff |
long-spur violet, violette rostrée |
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Habit | Plants perennial, caulescent, not stoloniferous, 2–30 cm. | Plants perennial, caulescent, not stoloniferous, 5–20 cm. |
Stems | 1–3, ascending to erect, usually glabrous, from shallow, fleshy rhizome. |
1–7, ascending to erect (often declining during anthesis), 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: 1–5; stipules lanceolate, margins laciniate, apex acute; petiole 1–9.6 cm, glabrous; blade sometimes purple-spotted abaxially and/or adaxially, reniform to ovate, 1–4.5 × 1–4 cm, base broadly cordate to cordate, margins crenate to serrate, mostly eciliate, apex obtuse to acute, surfaces usually pubescent, mostly adaxially toward base, sometimes glabrous; cauline similar to basal except: petiole 0.4–4 cm; distal cauline blades ovate to deltate, 1–4.5 × 1–4 cm, base cordate, apex acuminate to acute. |
Peduncles | 2.2–20.7 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. |
5–9 cm, usually 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 1–2 mm; petals pale lavender-violet on both surfaces, all white basally, lower 3 purple-black-veined, all beardless, lowest 8–20 mm, spur white, purple, or lavender-tinged, elongated, 10–20 mm; style head beardless; cleistogamous flowers axillary. |
Capsules | ovoid to oblong, 7.5–13 mm, glabrous. |
ellipsoid, 4–6 mm, glabrous. |
Seeds | dark olive to ± black, 2.5–2.8 mm. |
beige to bronze, 1.3–2 mm. |
2n | = 12. |
= 20. |
Viola langsdorffii |
Viola rostrata |
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Phenology | Flowering Apr–Aug. | Flowering Apr–May. |
Habitat | Swamps, bogs, fens, wet meadows, stream banks, rocky slopes, usually near coast | Rich, mesic to dry, well-drained woodlands, mountains |
Elevation | 0–1500 m (0–4900 ft) | 200–1800 m (700–5900 ft) |
Distribution |
AK; CA; OR; WA; BC; YT; Asia
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AL; CT; GA; IN; KY; MA; MD; MI; NC; NJ; NY; OH; PA; SC; TN; VA; VT; WI; WV; ON; QC; e Asia (Japan)
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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.) |
Viola rostrata has the longest spur of any North American Viola species. Viola rostrata reportedly hybridizes with V. labradorica (= V. ×malteana House) and V. striata (= V. ×brauniae Grover ex Cooperrider). (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Source | FNA vol. 6, p. 136. | FNA vol. 6, p. 154. |
Parent taxa | Violaceae > Viola | Violaceae > Viola |
Sibling taxa | ||
Synonyms | V. simulata, V. superba | Lophion rostratum |
Name authority | Fischer ex Gingins: in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 1: 296. (1824) | Pursh: Fl. Amer. Sept. 1: 174. (1813) |
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