Viola flettii

Viola flettii is a species of violet known by the common name Olympic violet.[1][2] Native to the northeastern and eastern Olympic Mountains of Washington in northwestern United States, it occurs on rocky outcrops and talus at subalpine and alpine elevations, i.e., from 1,340–2,000 metres (4,400–6,560 ft), and blooms from June through August.[3] This rhizomatous herb produces a hairless stem reaching a maximum height of a few centimeters to around 15 centimeters. The basal leaves have purple-veined green reniform blades borne on petioles. Leaves on the flower stem are similar but smaller. A solitary flower is borne on a slender upright stem. It has five purplish-violet petals with yellowish bases, the lower three with purple veins. The lateral pair are bearded as is the stigma. The spur on the lowest petal is much shorter than the petal.[1]

Viola flettii

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Viola
Species:
V. flettii
Binomial name
Viola flettii

The Olympic Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges of western North America, was a refugium isolated by glacial ice and outwash channels during the last glacial period.[4][5] Viola flettii is one of seven species of plants endemic to the Olympic Mountains.[5] Federally protected in Olympic National Park, it is a vulnerable species that appears on the Watch List of Vascular Plant Species of the Washington Natural Heritage Program.[1][6] Just 36 populations of the species have been identified, of which 22 are within the park or near its boundary.[7] The balance are protected in Olympic National Forest. Many populations are small. In 2001, on Mount Townsend just 20 individuals were counted; on Mount Ellinor, only eight.[4] Populations at higher elevations are less genetically diverse. Those on southern slopes are small. Potential threats include herbivory by Oreamnos americanus (mountain goats) that were introduced into the Olympic Mountains in the late 1920s.[7]

References
  1. "Viola flettii". WTU Herbarium Image Collection. Burke Museum, University of Washington. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  2. "Viola flettii Piper". PLANTS Profile. United States Department of Agriculture; Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  3. Sullivan, Steven. K. (2014). "Viola flettii". Wildflower Search. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  4. McCreary, C. (2005). Genetic Relationships, Morphological Divergence and Ecological Correlates in Three Species of the Viola canadensis Complex in Western North America (PhD). Ohio University, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences). Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  5. Houston, D. B.; Schreiner, E. G.; Buckingham, N. M. (12 Dec 2007). "3: Biogeography of the Olympic Peninsula". In Houston, Douglas B.; Schreiner, Edward G.; Moorhead, Bruce B. (eds.). Mountain Goats in Olympic National Park: Biology and Management of an Introduced Species (Scientific Monograph). NPS/NROLYM/NRSM-94/25. United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service (published 1994). ASIN B000GVJV3U. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  6. "Washington Natural Heritage Program Report Number: 2019-05.1" (PDF). Department of Natural Resources. Washington Natural Heritage Program. July 25, 2019. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  7. Schreiner, E. G.; Gracz, M. B.; Kaye, T. N.; Woodward, A.; Buckingham, N. M. (12 Dec 2007). "12: Mountain Goat Herbivory". In Houston, Douglas B.; Schreiner, Edward G.; Moorhead, Bruce B. (eds.). Mountain Goats in Olympic National Park: Biology and Management of an Introduced Species (Scientific Monograph). NPS/NROLYM/NRSM-94/25. United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service (published 1994). ASIN B000GVJV3U. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
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