PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Striped Violet (Viola striata)

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Photo by Mason Brock

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Striped Violet (Viola striata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in moist, rich woodlands and floodplain forests in eastern Wisconsin. Blooming occurs from late-April through June, fruiting June through August. The optimal identification period for this species is late-April through June.

 
 
 

Striped violet is an erect forb, up to 30cm tall, with cream-colored flowers with purple veins on lower lip, that are borne from leaf axils. Fruits are round capsules, seeds pale brown. Leaves are alternate, basal leaves and lower cauline leaves are cordate, upper leaves are acute and toothed, stipules are large and toothed.

Its irregularly cleft stipules and bearded lateral petals are distinguishing characteristics.

Blooming occurs from April through June, fruiting June through August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is April through June.

Associated species include Acer saccharum, Tilia americana, Quercus rubra, Trillium grandiflorum, and Ranunculus species.

Striped violet prefers wet, calcareous soils and is found in moist, rich woodlands and floodplain forests in eastern Wisconsin.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.