Description
Viola pedatifida, commonly called larkspur violet, purple prairie violet or prairie violet, is native from Saskatchewan to Ohio south to Oklahoma and Arkansas. In Missouri, it is typically found in loess hills and prairie areas (Steyermark). This is a clump-forming plant that grows to 8” tall. Deep violet-blue flowers (to .75” wide) bloom on leafless stalks from spring into summer. Flowers have five petals, with the middle one prominently spurred. Leaves are divided into bird-foot-like segments with very narrow leaflets. Divided leaves are reminiscent of delphinium hence the common name of larkspur violet. Seed is not always produced by the upright flowers, but is often produced from petalless flowers near ground level. This plant is similar in appearance to bird foot violet (Viola pedata), except the flowers are smaller and more pea-like in shape.
