Alpine marsh violet (Viola palustris, Sp. Pl.: 934 (1753))

Family: Violaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 934 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Viola

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Subarctic America to W. & N. U.S.A., Morocco, Europe to W. Siberia

Description

The Alpine marsh violet, scientifically known as Viola palustris, is a captivating and delicate plant species belonging to the Violaceae family. With its name first officially recorded in the renowned work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the eminent botanist Carolus Linnaeus, this perennial herb has garnered attention for its ability to thrive in various moist environments across the Northern Hemisphere.

Widely distributed from subarctic regions of America extending to western and northern parts of the United States, Viola palustris also makes its presence known in the wetlands of Morocco, and throughout much of Europe reaching as far as western Siberia. This expansive range indicates the plant’s remarkable adaptability to different climates and terrains, thriving particularly in marshes and moist woodland areas.

The plant itself exhibits charming violet to pale purple flowers, typically blooming in the spring and summer months. Its heart-shaped leaves form a rosette at the base, creating a lush green carpet that is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically significant, providing ground cover in damp, open areas.

Botanists and plant enthusiasts alike cherish the Alpine marsh violet not just for its beauty, but also for its resilience and role in various ecosystems. The plant’s capacity to flourish in subarctic and temperate regions highlights its importance in studies related to climate adaptation and wetland conservation.

Overall, Viola palustris stands as a testament to the diverse and resilient nature of plant life in some of the world’s most pristine and challenging environments.

Common Names

Dan: eng-viol
Deu: sumpf-veilchen
Eng: alpine marsh violet, marsh violet, northern marsh violet, white marsh violet
Swe: kärrviol, suo-orvokki
Nld: moerasviooltje
Nob: myrfiol
Nno: myrfiol
Fin: suo-orvokki
Fra: violette des marais, violette palustre, violette rosée
Sme: jeaggeviola
Cym: fioled y gors, fioledau’r gors, gwiolydd y gors, gwythdydd, millyn y gors
Gla: dail-chuach lèana, dail-chuachan lèana
En: Alpine marsh violet, Marsh violet, Northern marsh violet, Alpine-Marsh Violet, White marsh violet
Be: Фіялка балотная
Bg: Блатна теменуга
Ca: Viola d’aiguamoll, Viola palustre
Kw: Melion an gors
Cs: Violka bahenní
Da: Eng-Viol
Nl: Moerasviooltje
Et: Sookannike
Fi: Suo-orvokki
Fr: Violette des marais, Violette palustre, Violette rosée
De: Sumpf-Veilchen
Hu: Mocsári ibolya
Is: Mýrfjóla
Ga: Sailchuach chorraigh
It: Viola palustre
Lt: Durpyninė našlaitė
Se: Jeaggeviola
No: Myrfiol
Nb: Myrfiol
Nn: Myrfiol
Oc: Violeta de las sanhas
Fa: بنفشه باتلاقی آلپی
Pl: Fiołek błotny
Ru: Фиалка болотная
Gd: Dail-chuach lèana, Dail-chuachan lèana
Sk: Fialka močiarna
Sv: Kärrviol, Suo-orvokki
Cy: Fioled y gors, Fioledau’r Gors, Gwiolydd y Gors, Gwythdydd, Millyn y Gors

Synonyms

• Viola palustris subsp. typica (M.S.Baker)

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 3, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by MaterLacrimae (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 15, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 2, 2020 by C. Ashley (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2016 by EOL − Drepanostoma (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 29, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Dr. Van Baerle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Tela Botanica − José Luis Romero Rego (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Tela Botanica − José Luis Romero Rego (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Mathilde DUVERGER (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5331355)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:868891-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Viola palustris L.)

Specifications

Growth