Syn.: Crocion nuttallii Nieuwl. et Lunell
Family: Violaceae Batsch
Distribution: Eastern slopes of Rocky Mountains and western prairies of North America, found from western Minnesota to Idaho, southward to north of New Mexico, northward to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Ecology: Grows in prairie, meadows and grasslands, open forests, from lowlands to subalpine areas. Blooms from April to June.
Description: Perennial herb, stem 2–8 cm tall. Leaves long petiolate, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, 1–10 cm long, margins wavy, stipules present. Flowers solitary, borne in leaf axils, 4–10 per plant, 10–15 mm across, yellow with purple veins, often reddish purple on outside, petals 5, spur present, 1 mm long. Fruit is a capsule, 6–9 mm long.
Note: Named after an English naturalist Thomas Nuttall (1786–1859).
These images were taken in Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Twelve Mile Coulee Natural Environment Park (May 13, 2013) and Calgary, Confluence Park (May 20, 2013).
