WILD FLOWERS 



139 



The bird's-foot violet (Viola pedatd) blooms a little 

 later than the meadow violet. It makes its home on dry 

 banks and in gravelly soil, but may be made to grow 

 in a rockery or bor- 

 der if care is taken 

 to give it a home- 

 like situation. The 

 leaves and flowers 

 are borne on slender 

 stems rising from 

 a short root stock. 

 The color of the 

 blossom varies from 

 deep red-violet to 

 pale lavender, with 

 some white at the 

 base of the lower 

 petals, just under- 

 neath the green- 

 tipped pistil. The 

 plant forms little 

 clumps. In order 

 to transplant suc- 

 cessfully, dig up 

 an entire clump 

 with as much soil as possible clinging to the roots. 



Viola rotundifolia (the early yellow violet) may be 

 transplanted by taking up the stout rootstock early in 

 the spring. It has oval, heart-shaped leaves. The petals 



FIG. 73. Bird's-foot Violet (Viola pedata) 



