About Viola praemorsa Douglas
Viola praemorsa Douglas is a rhizomatous perennial herb that reaches a maximum height of 30 centimeters (12 inches). Its thick, fleshy leaf blades range from lance-shaped to oval, with either pointed or rounded tips. Basal leaves grow up to 8.5 centimeters (3.3 inches) long, and leaves positioned higher on the stem are the same length or slightly longer. Leaf blades are often densely covered in hairs, and are carried on long petioles. A single solitary flower grows on a long, upright stem. The flower has five yellow petals: the lowest three petals have brownish purple veins, and the upper two petals often have brownish purple coloring on their outer surfaces. Viola praemorsa is native to western North America, ranging from the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta to the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, California, Nevada, and Colorado. It grows on mountain slopes, most commonly in areas with forests or grassy meadows, and tolerates both moist and dry soil. In California, it is often found in yellow-pine forests. In Canada, Viola praemorsa subsp. praemorsa is an endangered subspecies associated with Garry oak ecosystems.
