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Crowfoot Violet (Prairie Violet)

Viola pedatifida

Family:

Violet family - Violaceae

Alberta's most unusual violet, crowfoot violet is named for its deeply cut leaves that resemble bird feet, making it a distinctive choice for rock gardens or well-drained locations.

Meadow or Grassland garden

Meadow / Grassland garden

Rock garden

Rock garden

Pollinator garden

Pollinator garden

Details

Emerges 

May

Seed collection

Flowers

May, June, July

blue flowers

Blue

purple flowers

Purple

July

Height

10

-

20

cm

Lifecycle

Perennial

Width

10

-

20

cm

Habit

Forbs

Herbaceous

Herbaceous

Ecology

Supports

Supports butterflies and moths

Butterflies & Moths

Providing

larval host plant

Larval host plant

Like other members of the violet family, crowfoot violets are a host for fritillary butterflies. Seeds are collected by ants that consume a fatty deposit present on the seed coat.

Habitat

Typically found in

slopes / banks, prairie

Crowfoot violet is rare in the Edmonton area for two reasons: it is at the northern limit of its range and it prefers sandy well-drained slopes and meadows.

In the Garden

Growing Conditions

Moisture

Dry conditions

Dry

Average conditions

Average

Moist conditions

Moist

Light

Full sun

Full sun

Partial sun

Part sun

Partial shade

Part shade

Soil

Average garden soil

Propagation

Via

Seeds

Seeds

Sowing Recommendations

Sow seeds uncovered

Sow seeds uncovered

Sow seeds in Fall

Fall planting

Landscape

Use for:

Border placement

Border

Accent plant

Accent plant

Growing Tips

  • Good for a rock garden or other well-drained location in the sun. 

  • Likes to be mulched. 

  • Will self-seed but is easily managed. 

Description

This unusual violet makes an interesting addition to rock or prairie gardens. With spring blooms, it provides visual interest through both foliage and flowers early in the season. While it prefers to be on the average-to-drier side in well-drained soil, it doesn't like to completely dry out. Mulching around the plant will help moderate moisture levels.

Like early blue violets, crowfoot violet seeds form in a three-pronged capsule that points skyward at maturity before opening. As with most violets, they rely on a combination of ballistics and ant dispersal, aptly described in the scientific literature as "explosive ejection" and "ant exploitation". In the first phase, the capsule (which is the fruit) splits open and dries. As it dries, the prongs shrink, putting pressure on the seeds until they fire outward, landing up to a few meters away. The seeds also sport a fatty lump called elaiosomes that attracts ants. Ants carry the seeds back to their nest to feed the fatty tissue to their young, then haul the cleaned seeds out to their garbage dump: a nice little compost pile. Most violets use both dispersal methods but vary in their reliance on each — this species has a relatively large elaiosome so may rely more heavily on ant dispersal than our other native violets. So, don't be surprised if you find new seedlings in an entirely different part of the garden courtesy of our busy, six-legged friends. 

If you want to collect seeds, you will need to check the plant regularly for capsules and be ready to move quickly; there is a window of approximately 1-3 days between maturity (capsule pointing upward), the capsule opening, and seed dispersal. Once the capsule opens, seeds can 'disappear' in a matter of minutes to hours. Most seed collectors will pinch off capsules that point vertically upward and place them immediately in a closed paper bag. Shortly after collection, the capsule will open and the seeds will fire, contained in the bag. 

Crowfoot violet seeds benefit from a longer stratification period. One study found germination rates increased considerably between 60-day and 120-day stratification treatments, ultimately recommending 120-day stratification for this species. (We still recommend checking seeds regularly during stratification for signs of germination.) They can also be overwintered outside for spring germination. Regardless of treatment, these seeds should be sown on the surface of the soil to receive light.

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