| Author | E.P. Bicknell | |
| Distribution | Weakley (2020) splits this taxon out from V. brittoniana; however, the website editors feel that this is probably not justified, based on experience of Sorrie in MA (where the two may occur together in mingled populations). It occurs in NC only in the Coastal Plain, with specimens so far only from Gates, Richmond, and Brunswick -- an odd array of counties geographically, suggesting that it is under-reported.
Strictly along the Atlantic Coastal Plain, from MA to NC.
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| Abundance | Seemingly very rare, but likely overlooked. The website editors recommend Watch List status, until more is known about this taxon. It is even uncertain if any specimens have been collected in recent decades, and its State Rank might be SH (historical) rather than the suggested S1?. | |
| Habitat | Habitats are mainly moist flats, typically near the edges of various forested types, in acidic soil; most sites associated with pines or mixed woods. | |
| Phenology | Flowers and fruits in April and May. | |
| Identification | This species is acaulescent, with a separate flower stalk from the leaves. The leaves are triangular to strongly ovate, often with concave sides, strongly serrated margins, and truncate to slightly cordate bases, elevated well off the ground (often strongly erect) on petioles about 5-6 inches long. The violet-blue flower is quite large for a violet, about 1-inch wide, also raised as high as, or higher than, the leaves. It has been split from V. brittoniana, which is similar overall but has its leaves palmately lobed, like a hand with fingers. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | See above. Traditionally listed in references as a variety -- V. brittoniana var. pectinata.
General note on Viola: In 2009-10 B.A. Sorrie (website map editor) went through the whole collection at NCU, annotating all specimens against those verified by experts in the genus. The range maps in RAB (1968) have been changed accordingly. More recently, H. Ballard and students are in the process of revising all Southeastern Viola, and they will recognize additional species; this work has now been published (see above). We will follow updated editions of Weakley in recognizing them. | |
| Other Common Name(s) | Pectinate-leaved Violet, Northern Coastal Violet (the name often given to V. brittoniana) | |
| State Rank | [S1?] | |
| Global Rank | GNA | |
| State Status | [W7] | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | | |
| USACE-emp | | |
