← Back to Plant Finder

Bird's Foot Violet
Viola pedata

Found in southeast and east-central Minnesota, Bird's Foot Violet has purple flowers with an orange center and prefers drier and sandy soils. It is a larval host plant for several butterfly species.

USDA symbol: VIPE

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height3 to 6 inches
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureDry, Medium
Bloom ColorPurple
Bird's Foot Violet (Bird's Foot Violet<div><em class="small">Viola pedata</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience5
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceAcidic Conditions, Drought Tolerant

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsMay to June
Larval Host ofButterflies
Specific Pollinators HostedNumerous butterfly species
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Restoration
Coefficient of Conservatism9
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAnoka, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Mower, Olmsted, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona
EcoregionDriftless Area, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland