Ontario Wildflowers website

Downy Yellow Violet
Viola pubescens

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) Other common names: Hairy Violet, Smooth Yellow Violet, Yellow Violet

Other scientific names: Viola eriocarpa, Viola pensylvanica

French names: Violette pubescente

Family: Violet Family (Violaceae)

Group: Violets

Distinctive features: Yellow flowers.

Flowers: Spring;  Yellow;  Irregular flowers

Habitat: Forests

Lifespan: Perennial.  

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 54    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 146    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 390   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: pubescens: pubescent: hairy, fuzzy


Photographs: 176 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) flower

Downy Yellow Violet flowers come out in May.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) plant

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) flower

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) plants

A nice clump of Downy Yellow Violet.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) flower

Sometimes the back of the flower petals has a purplish tinge, similar to that of Canada Violet (Viola canadensis).

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) plant

Eek! A mid-May snowstorm.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) seed pod

Downy Yellow Violet seed pod forming.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) flower bud

Downy Yellow Violet flower bud.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) plants

A nice patch of Downy Yellow Violet.


Range map for Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)