Yellow Prairie Violet is a low-growing native violet of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain foothills, producing bright yellow flowers with brownish-purple veining in early spring. Unlike many eastern violets, it grows in dry, open habitats and is highly drought-tolerant. The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, distinguishing it from broader-leaved eastern yellow violets. Like all violets, it is a larval host plant for native fritillary butterflies.
Best time to see a Yellow Prairie Violet
The best time to see a Yellow Prairie Violet is April–May, when about 80% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,232 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Yellow Prairie Violet? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Yellow Prairie Violet sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Yellow Prairie Violet?
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