The Alaska Violet, scientifically known as Viola langsdorfii, is a native wildflower known for its vibrant appearance and widespread presence. This perennial plant brings color to various landscapes, often signaling the arrival of warmer seasons. Its distinct features make it a recognizable component of the northern flora.
Detailed Physical Characteristics
Flowers
The Alaska Violet’s flowers are a striking light bluish-violet to deep purple, often adorned with darker purple veins radiating across the petals. Each flower has five petals; the three lower ones often exhibit a white base and a yellow patch, while the two lateral petals are distinctly bearded with small white hairs. These blossoms appear singly on slender, leafless stems, creating a delicate display from mid-spring through late summer. Petals measure between 12 and 24 millimeters in length.
Leaves
Alaska Violet leaves are rounded and heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, attaching with long petioles. Their color is a dull green, paler on the underside. Leaf margins are shallowly crenate or serrated, and surfaces can be smooth or sparsely hairy, especially along the veins. Basal leaves can have petioles up to 8 inches long. While the plant primarily forms a basal rosette, some stem leaves may also be present.
Plant Size and Growth Habit
This low-growing perennial reaches a height of 2 to 10 inches (5 to 25 cm). The Alaska Violet spreads through thick, horizontal rhizomes and self-seeds, forming small clumps or mats over time. While it may appear stemless at the onset of flowering, the plant later develops several ascending to erect stems that elongate throughout the season. Its growth habit allows it to thrive in various conditions, from open areas to more protected situations among other vegetation.
Typical Habitat and Range
The Alaska Violet flourishes in cool, moist environments, often found in damp to wet soils. It prefers habitats such as swamps, bogs, fens, wet meadows, and along stream banks. The plant tolerates a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and prefers humus-rich, well-drained soils that are acidic to neutral.
Geographically, Viola langsdorfii is native to Western North America, with its range extending from Alaska southward along the coast through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, and into California. It is also found in parts of Eastern Asia. This adaptable wildflower can be found from low elevations up to 1500 meters, often near coastal regions.
Key Identifying Features
Distinguishing the Alaska Violet from other violet species involves observing a few specific characteristics. The vibrant light bluish-violet to deep purple flowers with prominent dark purple veins are a primary distinguishing feature. The presence of small white beards on the two lateral petals also differentiates it from other violets.
The spur, a backward-pointing projection from the flower, is white to violet and can be gibbous or elongated, measuring 2 to 5 millimeters and less than half the length of the lowest petal. While the style head is beardless, some populations may exhibit a bearded style. Its rounded, heart-shaped leaves, whether smooth or sparsely hairy, further contribute to its identification.