Early Blue Violet

Viola adunca

Violaceae

• Spokane Native
• Full sun to part shade
• Mature Size: 3–8" tall x 6–8" wide, spreading gently by rhizome and seed
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate; adaptable to both drier gravelly sites and moist meadows
• Flower: Violet-blue to deep purple with a white throat (March–June)
• Wildlife Benefits: Sole larval host plant of the Oregon silverspot butterfly and a host for Zerene and other fritillaries; nectar source for the Mardon skipper 

Early blue violet is common across nearly every county in the Pacific Northwest, growing in meadows, forest edges, and damp streambanks at a wide range of elevations. It is a poor competitor against aggressive non-native grasses and thatch buildup, so it does best in relatively open ground with reduced competition; periodic disturbance or fire has been shown to stimulate its germination in restoration settings.

Small, heart-shaped, dark green leaves, sometimes curling into neat little cups, form tidy low clumps from slender spreading rhizomes. In early spring, fragrant violet-blue to deep purple flowers with a white throat and a distinctive hooked spur (the source of the species name adunca, "hooked") rise just above the foliage.

This is a genuine conservation keystone plant: it is the sole known larval host of the federally threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly, and also hosts Zerene fritillary and other fritillary species, several of which are themselves rare or listed. Its early blooms are also an important nectar source for the Mardon skipper, a Washington state endangered species. Note for customer communication: the leaves and flowers are edible in moderation and high in vitamins A and C, but the rhizomes, fruit, and seeds are poisonous and should not be consumed.

A wonderful, low-key addition to native pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, and woodland edges, especially for supporting butterfly conservation — for best results for the Oregon silverspot and other fritillaries, a generous, dense patch works better than a few scattered plants. Works well at the front of a bed, along pathways, or woven through a wildflower meadow.