About Viola nuttallii Pursh
Viola nuttallii, commonly called Nuttall's violet or yellow prairie violet, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the violet family Violaceae. It is one of the few violet species that has lanceolate leaves. This species is native to western Canada, and the north-central and western United States, where it grows in upper steppe lands, forests, and alpine ridges. The genus name Viola is Latin for violet. The species epithet nuttallii was chosen to honor the prominent botanist Thomas Nuttall. This plant is highly variable, and typically produces bright yellow petals. The only purple coloring present on Nuttall's violet is found on the nectar guides in the throat of the flower. Its veined, elliptical leaves measure 2.5 to 10 centimeters, or 1 to 4 inches, in length. Viola nuttallii acts as a larval host plant for the Coronis fritillary butterfly. The leaves and flowers of this plant are edible and contain high levels of vitamins A and C. In contrast, the rhizomes, fruits, and seeds contain high concentrations of saponins and should not be consumed.
