Viola renifolia is a species of violet known by the common names white violet and kidneyleaf violet. It is native to northern North America, where it has a widespread distribution across Canada and the northern United States as far south as Washington, Colorado, and New York.[1]

Viola renifolia

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Viola
Species:
V. renifolia
Binomial name
Viola renifolia

Kidneyleaf violet is a perennial herb growing up to 10 centimeters tall. It does not have stems, rhizomes, or stolons. The kidney-shaped leaf blades are 3 to 6 centimeters long and are borne on petioles up to 15 centimeters long. The flower is 1 to 1.5 centimeters long and white in color with purple lines on the lower three petals. The fruit is a purplish capsule.[1][2]

This violet grows in white spruce and black spruce forests, and temperate coniferous forests. Near the Great Lakes it grows in swamps and wooded areas.[1]

Conservation status in the United States

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It is listed as endangered in Connecticut,[3] as threatened in Iowa, as extirpated in Pennsylvania, and as sensitive in Washington.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Williams, Tara Y. (1990). "Viola renifolia". Fire Effects Information System (FEIS). US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  2. ^ "Viola renifolia". The Nature Conservancy.
  3. ^ "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015" (PDF). State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 28 March 2018. (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)
  4. ^ "Plants Profile for Viola renifolia (white violet)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 24 September 2018.