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Halberd-leaf Violet Viola hastata

Phonetic Spelling
vy-OH-la hass-TAH-tuh
Description

Spearleaf Violet is native to the eastern United States.  In North Carolina, it can be found in the mountains and occasionally the Piedmont. It is found in rich, open woods and ravines and prefers humus-rich acidic soils in part shade. In North Carolina, it can be found in dry-mesic oak forests and areas with acidic soils. The spear-shaped leaves are variegated and the yellow blooms occur in spring. Grow in naturalized woodland settings.

The leaves are a medium green with an attractive silvery mottling pattern.  They are arrowhead or sword like in shape, wide at the bottom and tapering to a point.  Its common name 'Halberd Leaved Violet, originates from its resemblance to a halberd, a sword used in ancient times.    This variety of viola is one of the caulescent violets, the leaves are on the flowering stem.  Its leaves make it an easy violet to identify.  The variation in the leaves have been said to resemble snowflakes, no two are exactly alike.  

Its spreading habit make this a good choice as a ground cover.

This plant supports Fritillary (Boloria bellona) butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies and bees.  Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized miner bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. This plant is resistant to damage by deer. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source.  This plant is resistant to damage by deer.

No serious insect or disease issues.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#colorful#spring flowers#seeds#showy fruits#small mammals#specialized bees#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#deer resistant#small and large mammals#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#seed pods#summer interest#cutting garden#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers early spring#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#piedmont mountains UPL#small group plantings#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#food source roots#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#fritillary butterflies#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#colorful#spring flowers#seeds#showy fruits#small mammals#specialized bees#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#deer resistant#small and large mammals#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#seed pods#summer interest#cutting garden#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers early spring#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#piedmont mountains UPL#small group plantings#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#food source roots#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#fritillary butterflies#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viola
    Species:
    hastata
    Family:
    Violaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Distribution:
    AL , FL , GA , KY , MD , NC , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Shade
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to damage by deer.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Buff colored oval capsule with brown seeds. In North Carolina, fruits are available from May to June.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The 5 petaled yellow flowers are purple-tinged on the backside. They have purplish nectar lines on the lower petal and are bearded on the lateral lobes. In North Carolina, flowers are available from March to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    1-2 inches long variegated, arrow-shaped leaves in a basal pattern.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stem is erect, and comes from a fleshy rhizome.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer