Scientific Family
Violaceae
Other common names
goose-foot yellow violet
pine violet
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1-1/2 to 8 inches
Riparian
No
Stems branched, clustered on short, vertical rootstalks, at first short, elongating later in season; flowers on green stalks grow from the center of a basal rosette of leaves. Called "goosefoot" because petals resemble goose prints.
Leaves rounded, simple, basal and on stems, margins usually serrated; flowers solitary on up to 6 inch stalks; 5 flower petals, yellow on the face, lower 3 petals brown to purple-veined, the upper 2 usually brownish-purple on back, sepals to 1/3 inch.
Habitat
Gravelly soils of meadows, and exposed slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
4800
High elevation
5600
Flower Characteristics
Stalks to 6 inches long; 5 sepals to 1/3 inch long, lance-shaped, fringed with hairs; 5 petals, yellow face, upper 2 erect, brownish-purple on back, lower 3 brown- to purple-veined, lateral 2 hairy at base, lowest petal to 3/4 inch long, spur swollen.
Flower color
Yellow, brownish-purple, purple veined
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems branched, erect to spreading; leaves simple, basal and on stems (cauline), blades round, oval, margins toothed, upper surface hairless to soft hairs, lower has soft hairs, purplish; cauline blades shorter than basal leaves, oval, scalloped, toothed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green, purplish
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with soft hairs.
Fruit type
Capsule
Light to dark brown or mottled gray and brown, 15 to 20, oval, with a prominent caruncle (wart-like outgrowth near the narrow end).