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Viola pedata is often confused with:
Viola striata Viola striata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Viola pubescens Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Viola striata Viola striata

Bird-Foot Violet Viola pedata

Previously known as:

  • Viola pedata var. concolor
  • Viola pedata var. lineariloba
  • Viola pedata var. ranunculifolia
Phonetic Spelling
vy-OH-la ped-AY-tuh
Description

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:

  1. Deeply lobed leaves
  2. Large flower size to 1.5 inches
  3. 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:
Tags:
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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#drought tolerant#lavender#purple flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#nectar plant#colorful#spring flowers#mass planting#seeds#showy fruits#small mammals#specialized bees#moist soil#fire low flammability#herbaceous#NC native#well-drained soil#spreading#deer resistant#small and large mammals#lavender flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#seed pods#summer interest#rock garden#self-seeding#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#forb#sandhills#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#walkway planting#small group plantings#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#food source roots#bee friendly#Audubon#fritillary butterflies#perennial#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green to purple stems that curve at the tip.
  • 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