Bird's Foot Violet (Viola pedata)

Bird's Foot Violet is a beautiful Violet of dry, upland sites. Its showy, light violet-blue flowers, and distinctive "bird's foot"-shaped leaves make it easy to identify. It is pollinated by bees and butterflies. The bicolored form of this species, with its 2 upper petals a deep violet and the lower 3 a lilac shade, has been considered the most beautiful Violet in the world. This violet does not reproduce vegetatively like most other violets. Reproduction is by seed only. It is a low, clumped perennial, 4-10+ inches high, with large, almost pansy-sized flowers. It is the larval host for the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) butterfly.

Attracts: 🐛 🐝 
Light: part to full shade
Soil: dry