Canada Violet
Scientific
Name: Viola canadensis
Family:
Violaceae (Violet Family)
Habitat:
Rich woods
Blooms:
April to July
Although much
of the forest covering Sugar Hill is clearly cove hardwood
forest, a
few signs indicate that the community is transitional between cove
hardwoods and northern hardwoods. The latter plant community is
relatively similar to the cove hardwood community, but here in the
central Appalachians is found at higher elevations. Sugar Maple,
Beech, and Yellow Birch dominate northern hardwood forests, although
many cove hardwood species can be found intermixed. One county
west, High Knob clearly rises up into the northern hardwood forest,
which may explain why some northern hardwood species can be found at
Sugar Hill.
Canada Violet
is one of those northern hardwood species. The careful botanist
will find five violet species scattered across Sugar Hill, but Canada
Violet is the biggest and boldest, with large white petals that are
brushed with purple on their backs. Canada Violet is a perfect
example of a species that is uncommon in Virginia but well known in
other parts of the country. The northern hardwood forest and its
associated species coat the majority of New England and the Great Lakes
States, and Canada Violet is widespread in parts of the continent from
which it draws its name.
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