# western roundleaf violet (*Viola orbiculata*) The western roundleaf violet is a pretty little flower with round leaves and lovely purple petals. It loves to grow in shady places and adds color to the forest floor. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![western roundleaf violet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Viola_orbiculata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viola_orbiculata.jpg) ## Appearance The western roundleaf violet has bright yellow flowers with fine brown-purple lines on its lower petals, making it distinct from many other violets. Its glossy, dark green leaves are nearly perfectly round or kidney-shaped, forming a low-growing patch on the forest floor. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malpighiales - **Family:** Violaceae - **Genus:** Viola ## Interesting facts - If you look closely, you might see tiny "nectar guides" on the petals, like a bee's landing strip! - Its beautiful leaves and flowers are actually edible, tasting a bit like lettuce! - Some types of violet flowers never even open, staying closed to make seeds in secret! - The word "violet" usually means purple, but this amazing flower shows off bright yellow petals! ## Special abilities - **Seed Snapper:** The western roundleaf violet can snap open its seed pods, launching tiny seeds away to grow new plants far from the parent. - **Ant Attractor:** Its seeds have a fatty treat called an elaiosome, which tricks ants into carrying and planting them somewhere new. - **Shade Seeker:** This violet has broad, flat leaves that effectively capture sunlight in the dappled shade of its forest habitat. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-15 cm - **Spread:** 10-20 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Deer often browse on its tender leaves and flowers. - **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — Busy bumblebees visit its flowers for sweet nectar and pollen. - **Depends on:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Ants carry its special seeds to their nests, helping them grow elsewhere. - **Eaten by:** [Banana Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/banana-slug) (*Ariolimax columbianus*) — Slugs enjoy munching on its fresh, round leaves in moist areas. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify western roundleaf violet? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is western roundleaf violet? 5-15 cm ### How wide does western roundleaf violet spread? 10-20 cm ### How big are the flowers on western roundleaf violet? 1-2 cm ### When does western roundleaf violet bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is western roundleaf violet edible? Yes ### Is western roundleaf violet toxic? None ### What is western roundleaf violet's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Nickel Plate Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nickel-plate-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Western Roundleaf Violet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-roundleaf-violet)