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El Paso County Wildflower Project - Nuttall's Violet

Nuttall’s Violet

Viola nuttallii (Nuttall's violet or yellow prairie violet[1]) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the violet family (Violaceae), and is one of the few violet species with lanceolate leaves. It is native to the western Canada and the north-central and western United States,[2] appearing in upper steppe lands, forests, and alpine ridges.[3]

The genus name Viola means violet in Latin. For Nuttall's violet the only purple coloring is the nectar guides in the throat of the flower.[4] The species name is given in honor of noted botanist Thomas Nuttall.[2]

Bloom Season: March - September

Habitat: open plains, dry prairies, grassy meadows, and foothills

Photography Notes: Very Cooperative

Credits: Jason Fazio, 5 June


Image Credit: Coming Soon


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Nuttall’s Violet (native) is one of many wildflowers featured in the El Paso CO Wildflower Project, a community-built field guide documenting the wildflowers of El Paso County, Colorado.