VIOLET FAMILY 



The woods of northern Ohio are given in the books 

 as the first recorded habitat of this Violet. It is a true 

 woodland species and is often found crowded in be- 

 tween the anchoring divisions of tree trunks or the 

 exposed roots of forest trees. Its leaves are especially- 

 beautiful, a deep rich green, of thicker texture than 



those of other Violets, and 

 often mottled. The flower 

 is deep yellow with dark 

 lines. 



DOWNY YELLOW VIOLET 



Viola pubescens 



Perennial, having stems, and 

 yellow flowers. In open woods. 

 Maine to Minnesota and Ne- 

 braska, south to Georgia and 

 Texas. Frequent in northern 

 Ohio. March, April. 



Stem. — Simple, erect, downy. 



Leaves. — Basal leaves ovate- 



Vidia reniform, long-petioled, early 



withering; stem-leaves borne 



near the summit, short-petioled, 



ovate or reniform, crenate-dentate, and softly hairy to 



the touch. 



Flowers. —Bright yellow, veined with dull purple; the 

 lower petal conspicuously veined; the lateral petals 

 bearded; spur short; capsule oblong. 



Pollinated by bees, flies, and butterflies. Nectar- 

 bearing. 



154 



Downy Yellow Violet. 

 pubescens 



