PlantFiles: Bird's Foot Violet, Crow Foot Violet
Viola pedata

Very pretty little flower. Seems to do well here in Missouri with our cold winters and hot dry summers.

There are two color variations, one with all pale lavender petals and the other with two upper dark violet petals and pale lavender lower petals. All have a white area on the bottom petal with the dark purple lines.

You can make jelly from the flowers and also candy the flowers to eat.

Very attractive. Some of the flowers are bi-color (or bi-shade, light and darker violet). The Regal Fritillary butterfly (& other fritillaries) depend on a few species of native Viola as their larval host plants, and V. pedata is one of the most important of these, especially in the upper mid-west. As Regal Fritillaries do not lay their eggs on the violet, there needs to be leaf litter or other vegetative matter for the first instar of the the larva to over winter in around the violets, which the larva need to find very quickly in the spring. Lawns aren't hospitable, so plant in a less disturbed area and leave some leaf and plant debris for overwintering. Also, make sure you have adult nectar sources (esp. echinaceas and native thistles [if legal where you live]).

This species is nowhere near as aggressive as the common violet, and unlike the common violet, doesn't do well in shade. The leaves may be evergreen or deciduous, depending on where you live.

To gather the seeds, as the seed pods get ripe, place a small tightly woven net over the plant head with a rubber band (a bit of pantyhose works well). When the seed pods open, they forcefully eject the seed, hence the net.

One of the earliest blooming prairie plants, they provide a striking backdrop for other early bloomers such as indian paintbrush and shooting stars.

Frontier doctors made a syrup or decoction of the plant and was used as an expectorant. The roots and leaves were also used as a mild laxative and to induce vomiting.

Grows well in sandy-clay soil mix. Drainage is good.

Located where it receives morning to mid day sun, then shade after that.

Bloom time March-April.

Very attractive plant and flower.

Charming native wildflower in our region. Unlike other violets, this one needs sunshine and good drainage. It grows on bare slopes in acidic clay/gravel soils (usually subsoils that have been exposed due to roadbuilding or other construction). Has absolutely no insect or disease problems in our area, and thrives in our wet winter/spring, dry summer/fall climate.

Birds Foot Violets seem to grow along roadsides here in North Carolina. This year I dug up 36 of them in March/April and potted them in Miracle Grow soil in plastic pots. I gave them occasional water outside with a NE exposure and allowed them to get a good root structure. Two months later I planted them in mulched clay soil with a SW afternoon sun. I am told that this is not too hot for them - and if my clay soil drains well, they should survive.
So far, my experience is positive. I will write again with
more when I have something to say.

A semi-everygreen violet from North America.

Has mid-dark green, 3 lobed (2 side (lateral) lobes further divided into 3-5), glossy leaves. Bears pale blue or bicolored blue and white with yellow centered flowers and short spurs.

Flowers April-June

This one can be a bit of a prima donna, needs sandy/peat, well drained soil and despises too much winter wet.