Viola purpurea
Violaceae
Goosefoot Violet
Flowers on green stalks arise from center of basal rosette of leaves. Deep lemon yellow flowers have maroon to brown network of veins on the backs of the 2 upper petals. The 3 lower petals are maroon-veined. The 2 side petals are bearded. Grows in dry soils at mid to high elevations. Leaf characteristics vary among several subspecies: subsp. purpurea leaves are tinged purple, toothed; subsp. integrifolia leaves are entire; subsp. quercetorum leaves have very tiny hairs and a tapered base on the blade. These 3 grow only in north to southwestern Oregon. Subsp. venosa has dented to deeply toothed edges, grows in deep shade above 4000 ft. in much of our region. Called goosefoot violet because its leaves resemble shape of goose print.
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering Time: Late Spring
- Flower Form: Petals 5, Bilateral Symmetry, Violets
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 1/2 –4 inches
- Habitat: East-side Forest, Shrub-Steppe, Subalpine, West-side Forest
- Found In: Columbia Basin, East Gorge, Mt. Rainier NP, Siskiyous, Wallowas, West Gorge
- Native: Yes
- Also Known As: Purple-Backed Violet, Mountain Violet
