Nuttall's violet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nuttall's violet |
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Viola (plant)
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nuttallii
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Viola nuttallii is a pretty yellow wildflower. It is also known as Nuttall's violet or yellow prairie violet. This plant is a type of perennial herb in the violet family. It is special because its leaves are shaped like a spear.
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Nuttall's Violet: A Yellow Wildflower
Discovering Nuttall's Violet
Nuttall's violet is a plant that lives for many years. It grows back each spring. It is called a herbaceous plant. This means it has soft stems, not woody ones like trees. Unlike many other violets, its leaves are long and narrow, like the tip of a spear. This shape is called lanceolate.
Where Does This Violet Grow?
You can find Nuttall's violet growing in the western parts of Canada. It also grows across the north-central and western United States. It often thrives in open areas like prairies and meadows.
Why is it Called Nuttall's Violet?
The name Viola comes from a Latin word meaning violet. For Nuttall's violet, the flowers are mostly yellow. The only purple color you might see is inside the flower. These purple lines are called nectar guides. They help guide pollinators, like bees, to the sweet nectar deep within the flower.
The second part of its name, nuttallii, honors a famous botanist named Thomas Nuttall. He was a scientist who studied plants.
A Home for Butterflies
Nuttall's violet is very important for some insects. It serves as a "larval host" for the Coronis fritillary butterfly. This means that the caterpillars (larvae) of this butterfly eat the leaves of Nuttall's violet. The plant provides a safe place and food for the young butterflies to grow.
