Viola langsdorffii
Viola striata
Alaska violet, Aleutian violet, Langsdorff's violet, violette de Langsdorff
cream or cream-white or pale or striped or striped cream violet, creamy violet, striped cream violet, striped white violet, violette strièe
1–3, ascending to erect, usually glabrous, from shallow, fleshy rhizome.
1–4, ascending to erect (often declining during anthesis), glabrous or pubescent, on caudex from fleshy rhizome.
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: 2–6;
stipules lanceolate to narrowly deltate, margins laciniate, apex acute;
petiole 3–6 cm, glabrous or puberulent;
blade ovate to reniform, 2–7 × 1–2.5 cm, base cordate, margins crenate to serrate, ciliate or eciliate, apex obtuse to acute, surfaces glabrous or pubescent;
cauline similar to basal except: stipules lanceolate, margins laciniate;
petiole 3–7 cm;
distal blades ovate to deltate, 1–6 × 1–4 cm, base cordate, apex acuminate to acute.
2.2–20.7 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent.
5–12 cm, glabrous or pubescent.
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 ciliate or eciliate, auricles 2–3 mm;
petals white or cream on both surfaces, without yellow patch basally, lowest and usually lateral 2 purple-veined, lateral 2 and sometimes all densely bearded, lowest 10–18 mm, spur white, gibbous to elongated, 3–6 mm;
style head bearded; cleistogamous flowers axillary.
ovoid to oblong, 7.5–13 mm, glabrous.
ellipsoid, 6–7 mm, glabrous.
dark olive to ± black, 2.5–2.8 mm.
beige to bronze, 1.5–3 mm.
= 12.
= 20.
Viola langsdorffii
Viola striata
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.)
Dead, long-persistent stems of Viola striata are often present the following season. In flower, the plants are often mistaken for V. canadensis because the petals are whitish (H. E. Ballard 1992).
Viola striata reportedly hybridizes with V. labradorica (= V. ×eclipes H. E. Ballard), V. rostrata (= V. ×brauniae Grover ex Cooperrider), V. walteri var. appalachiensis (= V. ×wujekii H. E. Ballard), and V. walteri var. walteri (= V. ×cooperrideri H. E. Ballard).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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