Syn.: Viola sarmentosa var. orbiculata A. Gray, Viola sempervirens var. orbiculata (Geyer ex Holz.) J. K. Henry, Viola sempervirens var. orbiculoides M. S. Baker
Family: Violaceae Batsch
Distribution: Limited distribution in western part of North America, in British Columbia and Alberta in Canada and in US in states of Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon.
Ecology: Moist meadows and forests the montane to alpine zones, from sea level to 2500 m of elevation.
Description: Perennial herb, 5–10 cm tall, tufted, from stout rootstocks. Basal leaves evergreen, long petiolate, round, bases heart-shaped, toothed, smooth, dark green, stem leaves similar, reduced. Flowers solitary, axillary, pentamerous, 8–15 mm across, sepals lanceolate, petals bright yellow, 3 lower petals with maroon veins, lateral pair bearded, short spur; stamens 5, pistil 1. Fruit is a capsule, 4–8 mm long.
These images were taken in Canada, Alberta, Kananaskis, Highwood Pass (June 2015).
