NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Viola pedata

Birdfoot Violet, Bird's-foot Violet, Bird-foot Violet

Scientific Name:	Viola pedata
Genus:	Viola
Species Epithet:	pedata
Common Name:	Birdfoot Violet, Bird's-foot Violet, Bird-foot Violet
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Violaceae (Violet Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	0-1 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Purple
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Dry
Bloom Time:	March, April, May
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Var. pedata: Dry rocky or sandy forests, woodlands, glades, and roadbanks. Common throughout NC. State Rank: S5. Global Rank: G5TNR. Var. ranunculifolia [Sandhills Bird’s-foot Violet]: Dry to xeric longleaf pine sandhills. Uncommon in the Sandhills and NC Coastal Plain. State Rank: S3?. Global Rank: G5TNR.
Leaf Arrangement:	Basal
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Compound
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Important for Wildlife
Landscape Value:	Recommended and Available
State Rank:	S3: Vulnerable, S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G_T_: Subspecies or Variety Rank (add status to NOTES section) ^(*Key)
Notes:	This plant is particularly susceptible to crown rot if drainage is not excellent. Basal leaves only, tending to have 3 lobes.
In bloom The large, flat flowers and deeply lobed leaves make the Birdfoot Violet one of the easiest violets to identify. David Paynter, May, 2011, Watauga Co
Close-up of flower Other distinctive traits are the beardless petals and the brilliant orange in the center. Unlike most violets, this species produces no cleistogamous flowers (self-fertile flowers that produce seed without opening). David Paynter
Growing on the side of a mountain bald Birdfoot violet forms impressive patches in the well-drained habitat that it prefers. David Paynter. May 2011
It's a beautiful addition to a garden with sandy, well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Here, it is growing in the gardens of Growing Wild Nursery, a native plant nusery specializing in SE Coast natives. Cary Paynter, Burgaw, April 14, 2011
Large flowers and distinctive dissected basal leaves Macon County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Developing fruit , a 3-valved capsule, in mid-May. Macon County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Flora of North America NC State Extension