Bird-Foot Violet Viola pedata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Viola pedata var. concolor
- Viola pedata var. lineariloba
- Viola pedata var. ranunculifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-OH-la ped-AY-tuh
- Description
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Bird-Foot Violet is a native herbaceous plant that may grow 4 to 8 inches high. This plant has basal leaves only that tend to have 3 lobes. The common name comes from the shape of the leaves, they resemble a birds foot. Lavender-blue or bi-colored flowers with orange anthers appear from early to late spring and may recur in fall. It occurs naturally in rocky, open woods, sandy prairies & pine lands. This species is restricted to undisturbed, high-quality habitats and occurs in the North Carolina mountains, the Piedmont and the coastal areas. It is often considered one of the prettiest violas.
This plant needs well-drained soils and prefers sandy or gravelly soil with a somewhat acid pH in full sun but will tolerate part shade. It doesn't spread by stolons but may reseed in ideal conditions. This viola may be more difficult to grow than most.
Use this lovely native viola in groups, along paths, in rock gardens or on slopes. It is somewhat more difficult to grow than other variety violas. However, it may self seed in optimum growing situations.
In North Carolina, var. pedata can be naturally found in dry, rocky or sandy forests, woodlands, glades, and road banks whereas var. ranuncuilfolia can be found in sandhills.
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.
Quick ID Hints:
- Deeply lobed leaves
- Large flower size to 1.5 inches
- No hairs at the throat of flowers
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is particularly susceptible to crown rot if drainage is not excellent. Crown rot may develop when placed in soil with poor drainage.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Fairy Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- pedata
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA , IL, IN, KS , KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Host plant for fritillary butterflies. 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.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Particularly resistant to fire in the landscape. Moderately resistant to deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are ejected from the capsule and are covered with a sugary gel that attracts ants who help disperse the seeds. In North Carolina, the fruits are available from May to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 inch across five-petaled pale lavender to purple blooms. The upper 2 petals are smaller than the lower 3 with the lower petal having dark streaks. 5 stamens have bright orange anthers. Will bloom March-June and occasionally again in the fall. In North Carolina, flowers are available from March to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are almost round, are 3/4-2 inches long and deeply cut into 3-5 narrow lobes.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green to purple stems that curve at the tip.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Fire