The
photo above shows the dorsal or upper surface of the leaf of round-leaved violet
as seen along a small stream on the ridge between the Dry Creek and Cougar Creek
drainages at the southeastern corner of Mt. Adams at about 4300'..........May
29, 2005. The lower leaf surface is green, lacking the
purplish spots that might be found on the lower leaf surface of evergreen violet
(Viola sempervirens).Round-leaved violet is a wildflower with a short rootstock and no stolons, from which individual leaves or flower stalks arise separately. The aerial stems measure no more than 5 cm long. The herbage is smooth-surfaced, lacking hairs. The leaves are ovate-cordate or orbicular, 2-4 cm wide, with rounded teeth on the leaf edges. The leaf tips are rounded rather than pointed as in other similar violets. The leaves are thin in cross-section, they lack any purple coloration that some other violets show, and they persist through the winter.
The flowers may be found above the leaves, at the same height as the leaves, or just barely above the leaves. The flowers are lemon-yellow to golden in color, with purple or brown penciling on the lower 3 petals. The backs of the upper petals are yellow.
Round-leaved violet may be found in moist, shady places in the forest from mid to high altitude.
Round-leaved violet may be found along both sides of the Cascades from British Columbia south to northern Oregon and east to Idaho and Montana.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 2400'-4600' Multnomah Falls to near Dog Mt.
