Oregon violet facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oregon violet
Scientific classification
Genus:	Viola (plant)
Species:	hallii

The Viola hallii is a special kind of violet plant. People often call it the Oregon violet or Hall's violet. This pretty plant is found in the wild in parts of southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.

What is the Oregon Violet?

The Oregon violet is a small plant that grows from underground stems. These stems help the plant spread out. It can grow up to about 22 centimeters tall, which is roughly the length of a ruler. The whole plant is smooth and does not have any hairs.

Where Does it Grow?

You can find the Oregon violet in open areas. It likes to grow in forests and chaparral areas. Chaparral is a type of shrubland often found in dry climates. This violet prefers gravelly soils. It especially likes a unique type of soil called serpentine soil.

What Does it Look Like?

The Oregon violet has very interesting leaves and flowers. Each leaf is divided into three parts. These parts are called leaflets. The leaflets are thick and fleshy. They are also deeply cut into shapes that look like spear tips. The leaves grow on short stems called petioles. They look a lot like the leaves of another violet, Viola beckwithii.

Beautiful Flowers

Each Oregon violet plant produces a single flower. This flower grows on a long, straight stem. The flower has five petals. The three bottom petals are a creamy white color. They have yellow at their bases. You can also see red lines, like tiny veins, on them. The two top petals are a darker color. They can be dark red or purplish.