[Violets: The Genus Viola in Mt. Adams Country]

Cut-leaf Violet, Fan Violet

Viola sheltonii

Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii

The photos of cut-leaf violets seen on this page were taken at Catherine Creek, Columbia Gorge Scenic Area.........April 14, 2007. In the Columbia River Gorge, it is an early bloomer, often blooming in early to mid April.

Characteristics:

Another attractive violet, both for its cleft leaves and bright flowers, the cut-leaf violet is a perennial with smooth herbage and flowering stems arising from 5-15 cm tall. The leaf blades are sometimes a blue-green, often with purple on their lower surfaces. The leaf blades are deeply cleft into 3 main lobes, each of which is further cleft into linear segments. The leaf blade is generally 2-5 cm long.

The flowers are held above the leaves, with the forward faces of the 5 petals bright yellow, with the lower 3 petals showing purple penciling, and the backs of the upper two petals appearing brownish (See photo below.).


Habitat:

Cut-leaf violet may be found in the partial shade of oaks or ponderosa pines.


Range:

Cut-leaf violet may be found on the east side of the Cascades from near Cle Elum, WA south to the Columbia River Gorge, and south sporadically to Baja California.


Flower of Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii - Back of the petals of Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii


Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii

Leaves of cutleaf violet in oak leaf litter near Canyon Creek, Klickitat Wildlife Area.......March 31, 2019.

Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii - Basal leaf of Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii


Leaves of Cutleaf Violet, Fan Violet: Viola sheltonii

Cut-leaf violet as seen in oak woodlands along the River Route Rd in the upper Klickitat River Canyon to the east of Glenwood, WA........May 3, 2008.

Paul Slichter