Viola glabella

Habit: The heart-shaped foliage stay close to the soil only reaching a few inches in height. Cute yellow flowers dapple the greenery with a bilateral symmetry. The lower petal acts as a landing pad, equipped with delicate pollination guide lines leading to the nectar spur. The fruit is an oblong three chambered dehiscent pod-opening when ripe-which release seeds resembling miniature speckled eggs.

Ecology: Viola glabella is readily seen growing underfoot in wet open forests of the Pacific Northwest. A familiar site on hiking trails that weave near rivers and waterfalls. It’s common name, stream viola, is therefore quite suitable.

Growing Conditions: Stream viola is listed in Garden Smart Oregon as a great choice for a moist shady location in your garden.