Violet Family

Oak Violet

April-Aug

Grasslands

Violaceae

Viola purpurua ssp. quercetorum

"Ancient Latin name"

"Purple; oak like leaves"

At first glance these look like the more common johnny-jump-up. They bloom a couple of weeks earlier and tend to prefer north and east Pine Ridge, while the johnny-jump-ups like the more sunny areas to the south and west. The 1/2"-wide flower is a lighter yellow and the leaves are less wide.

(large image)