PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata)

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Photo by Eric Epstein

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in rich hardwood or hemlock-northern hardwood forests, mostly near Lake Michigan. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through June.

 
 
 

Long-spurred violet is an erect forb that is 5-12cm tall when flowering, but later grows to 15-25cm. Its stems are erect or spreading from a branched, oblique, short rhizome. It has flowers that are elevated above the leaves, light violet petals with darker veins forming a pronounced eye, all beardless. Fruits are stoutly ellipsoid, 5-6mm, seeds are light yellow-brown. Its leaves are alternate, ovate--often broadly, 2-4cm, heart-shaped at base, and all but the lowermost are acute. Stipules are lanceolate, fringe-toothed above the middle.

Its beardless lateral petals, 7-12mm spur, and straight style tip are distinguishing characteristics.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting throughout July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through June.

Associated species include Acer saccharum, Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Betula alleghaniensis, Tilia americana, Fagus grandifolia, Tsuga canadensis, Allium tricoccum, Anemone quinquefolia, Maianthemum canadense, Trillium grandiflorum, and Uvularia grandiflora.

Long-spurred violet is found in rich hardwood or hemlock-northern hardwood forests with deep humus, mostly near Lake Michigan.

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.

Avoid site preparation that heavily disturbs herbaceous ground layer and soil, including bulldozing and furrowing, as well as grubbing and stump removal.

This species requires shaded habitat conditions, maintain high forest canopy cover.

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.