Viola pubescens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Viola pensylvanica
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-OH-la pew-BES-senz
- Description
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Downy-Yellow Violet is a native wildflower with medium drought tolerance that naturally grows in rich deciduous forests, dry woods, meadows, low woods, sandy woodlands, and other wooded areas. Preference is for part sun to part shade in loose soils with organic matter. This violet doesn't tolerate mowing. It tolerates acidic soils and self-seeds. Use as a groundcover and in naturalized areas. It is a great companion plant for Trillium spp.
Differing from other Violet varieties, only 1 or 2 leafy stems are produced per root stalk. These 4-10" stems are light green, erect, and ascending or sprawling. The alternate leaves along these stems are 2-4" long, with the upper surface a medium green with sparse short-pubescent. The lower leaf is a light green and pubescent. The heart shaped leaves are unique to this variety.
The individual yellow blooms are produced from the axils of the leaves. The lowest petal will have brownish purple veins which are a distinguishing trait for this variety of violet. They often have a slight fragrance. In the late 19th century, species in the violet family were used as a substitute for perfume and even chewed on as a breath mint. Later on in the season, this variety of violet also produces small bud-like flowers that do not open. They will self-pollinate. Both the flowers and the unopened buds will produce seeds.
Violets contain a chemical substance that may interfere with a person's scent receptors. After a period of time, the nose may become affected by the chemical substance, and the person can no longer detect the scent of a violet.
While beneficial insects such as bees benefit from the nectar and pollen produced by the blooms, several destructive insects feed on the foliage and other parts of the plant.
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.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Destructive insects may feed on the plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- pubescens
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized 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.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderately resistant to damage by deer.
- Edibility:
- Flowers are edible in limited quantities, as it can have the same effect as a laxative.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- 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:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Egg-shaped, 1/2 inch long oval 3-angled seed capsules are light green and mature to brown. They split into 3 parts to eject their seeds. In North Carolina, the fruits are available from May to June. They will split open when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Individual flowers are ¾" across with 5 yellow petals, and branched brownish-purple veins occurring along the lowest petal and sometimes on the 2 lateral petals. Small tufts of hair are at the base of the two lateral petals. The lowest petal has a short blunt nectar spur. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from March to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Heart-shaped basal leaves are formed in spring which are 1.5- 2 inches long and nearly as wide. 1-2 leafy, hairy stems form which are 4-10 inches tall with alternate leaves that have hairs on the undersides and are 2-4 inches long and 2-3.5 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems with hairs are 4" to 10" tall.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
