Viola rostrata, is a stemmed herbaceous perennial

Perennial plant

A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...

 plant

Plant

Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...

 that is native to eastern North America

North America

North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...

. It is known by a number of common names including long-spurred violet.

General description

The leaves are simple, toothed, ovate and acute, except basal leaves, which are cordate. (2–4 cm)

The flowers are beardless, pale lilac with darker veins forming a darker centre eye. The spur is at least as long as the petal blades.

Habitat: Rich woodlands

Identification

V. rostrata can easily be distinguished from other Viola species by its long spur, but the species is known to hybidize with other Viola species (see: Hybrids)

Hybrids

Viola rostrata is known to hybidize with Viola conspersa (American dog-violet) and V. stiata (creamy violet)

External links

• USDA Plants Database profile: Viola rostrata