Yellow Prairie Violet

Description

Viola nuttallii (Nuttall's violet or yellow prairie violet) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the violet family (Violaceae), and is one of the few violet species with lanceolate leaves. It is native to the western Canada and the north-central and western United States. The species name Viola means violet in Latin. For Nuttall's violet the only purple coloring is the nectar guides in the throat of the flower. Nuttall's violet serves as a larval host for the Coronis fritillary butterfly. The species name is given in honor of noted botanist Thomas Nuttall.