Alpine yellow violet (Viola biflora, Sp. Pl.: 936 (1753))

Family: Violaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 936 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Viola

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. & Subalpine Northern Hemisphere to N. Sumatera

Description

The Alpine yellow violet, scientifically known as Viola biflora, is a captivating and delicate member of the Violaceae family. First recorded in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has intrigued researchers and nature enthusiasts alike for centuries.

Found in various temperate and subalpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere, its range extends to North Sumatra, showcasing an impressive adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. The distinctive feature of Viola biflora is its charming, bright yellow flowers which elegantly contrast with the verdant green foliage, creating a striking visual appeal in its natural habitats.

This perennial herb typically flourishes in moist, shady environments, often gracing the undergrowth of coniferous forests and the mossy expanses of alpine meadows. The two-lobed leaves are heart-shaped, adding to the plant’s delicate beauty and aesthetic appeal.

The Alpine yellow violet is not only admired for its ornamental value but also studied for its ecological significance. It plays a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems, contributing to the habitat’s biodiversity and serving as a source of nectar for pollinating insects.

In summary, Viola biflora or the Alpine yellow violet is a remarkable plant species marked by its vibrant yellow blossoms and significant presence in diverse ecological zones across the Northern Hemisphere to North Sumatra, embodying both botanical beauty and ecological importance.

Common Names

Eng: twinflower violet, alpine yellow violet, arctic yellow violet, two-flower violet, alpine yellow-violet, northern violet, northern yellow violet
Deu: zweiblütiges veilchen
Nob: fjellfiol
Nno: fjellfiol
Swe: fjällviol, lapinorvokki
Fin: lapinorvokki
Sme: fiskesviola
Fra: violette à deux fleurs, pensée à deux fleurs
En: Alpine yellow violet, Two-flower violet, Arctic yellow violet, Twinflower violet, Alpine Yellow-violet, Northern violet, Northern yellow violet, Twin-flowered Violet, Two-flowered Violet, Twoflower Violet, Yellow Wood-violet
Ca: Viola groga
Cs: Violka dvoukvětá
Nl: Tweebloemig Viooltje
Fi: Lapinorvokki
Fr: Violette à deux fleurs, Pensée à deux fleurs, Violette jaune
De: Zweiblütiges Veilchen, Gelbes Berg-Veilchen
Hi: Banfsa
It: Viola montana gialla
Ja: Kibana-no-komanotsume
Se: Fiskesviola
Nb: Fjellfiol
Nn: Fjellfiol
Sk: Fialka dvojkvetá
Sv: Fjällviol, Lapinorvokki

Synonyms

• Viola biflora var. uniflora (DC.)
• Viola biflora var. parvifolia (Lázaro Ibiza)
• Viola biflora var. grandifolia (Lázaro Ibiza)
• Viola biflora var. typica (H.Boissieu)
• Dischidium biflorum ((L.) Opiz)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 22, 2018 by orsatus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Marie-Paule Duflot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2012 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 11, 2022 by Werner Robinie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Krampl Tomáš (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Pataki Maximilian (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 27, 2016 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Uwe Lass (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Gasser Nadia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:867746-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5331325)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Viola biflora L.)

Specifications

Growth