Viola villosa Walter - Carolina Violet
Family - Violaceae
Stems:
N/A
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
Bracts of peduncle.
Flowers:
Flowering - February - April.
Habitat - Sandy or rocky soils, dry woods and clearings, sandhills.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This attractive species can be found in just a handful of scattered Alabama counties. The plant can be identified by its acaulescent habit, blue flowers, and pubescent leaves and peduncles.
Radford reported that this species is one of the earliest flowering violets. He also mentioned the plant was easily overlooked and is probably more common than is reported.
The genus name Viola is the classical Latin name for the Violets.
The species epithet villosa derives from the Latin "villos" meaning "hairy" referring to many parts of the plant.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Auburn University, AL., 3-6-05, and off Lee Rd 54, Lee County, AL., 3-12-06.