Species PlantsDowny Yellow Violet

Downy Yellow Violet

Viola pubescens

CommonPlant
Illustration of Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens)

Downy Yellow Violet is a native woodland violet with bright yellow flowers that blooms in May in rich hardwood forests. All violets are the exclusive larval host plants for all fritillary butterfly species in North America, making the genus extraordinarily important for conservation. The seeds are dispersed by ants via elaiosomes.

Habitat
Rich deciduous forest understory and shaded slopes across eastern North America
Diet
Exclusive larval host plant for all fritillary butterfly species; seeds dispersed by ants
How common
Common

Best time to see a Downy Yellow Violet

The best time to see a Downy Yellow Violet is March–April, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 16,071 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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