About Viola lobata Benth.
Viola lobata Benth., commonly called pine violet, is a violet species native to western North America. Its range extends from southern Oregon through California into northern Baja California, where it grows in mountain ranges, foothills, woodlands, and other habitats. This rhizomatous herb produces an erect stem that can reach a few centimeters in height, with a maximum height of nearly half a meter. Its leaves have blades of varying shapes that grow on long petioles. The leaf blades measure 5 to 15 centimeters wide, and may have a hairless, hairy, or waxy texture. Leaf blades are often divided into narrow lobes or cut into small segments. Leaf blade shape distinguishes the two recognized subspecies: V. lobata ssp. lobata has dissected leaves, while V. lobata ssp. integrifolia has entire or toothed blades. A single solitary flower grows on a long, upright stem. The flower has five yellow petals. All five petals, or only the lower three petals, have purple or brown veining, and the upper two petals have purple or brown markings on their outer surfaces.
