Georgia Wildlife Federation

Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Guide to Native Plants of Georgia for Wildlife < Viola pedata

Bird-foot Violet must be prefaced before described. Especially here in the Piedmont with the clayey, constantly damp soils, this plant is almost impossible to grow unless the soil is laboriously amended with sand, gravel, and grit or tilled to a depth of 6-10 inches. It is suited to container growing, even though noted floriculturist Dr. Allan Armitage has stated “all I know is that I can’t grow bird’s foot violets to save my life. But I certainly admire them in other people’s gardens.”

With that tantalizingly challenging quality aside, the meticulous and determined gardener can easily grow this plant by paying attention to the conditions suggested above. Doing so will easily make you the envy of your friends, because Bird-foot Violet is perhaps North America’s most stunning species of violet. It has everything—hardiness, interesting foliage, beautiful and large flowers. It is small, rounded, and wonderfully eye-catching. For the southerner who can’t resist a challenge, try some seeds or divisions of this wonderful violet.

FAMILY: Violaceae (Violet)

DESCRIPTION: A beautiful violet with leaves resembling a bird’s foot. The individual leaves and flowering stems emerge directly from the rootstock. Each leaf is deeply divided into 3-5 lobes which radiate like a palm leaf. Leaf shape varies widely between individuals. A typical leaf is about 1" long and across (excluding the petiole). The petiole of each leaf is rather long and slender. The slender flowering stems are at least as long as the petioles; they are either green or purple. Each stem curves abruptly downward near the flower. Flowers have five petals and are lavender or violet and individual plants vary widely in coloration. Plants bloom in mid to late spring and occasionally during the fall. Seeds are coppery and can be shot several inches away from the mother plant. The seeds are coated in a sugary gel called an elaiosome, which attracts and is eaten by ants. Ants carry the seeds away, dispersing and planting new populations Roots are tuberous and rhizomatous.

SIZE: 4 to 10 inches in height

HABIT: Mound-forming broad-leaved perennial

GROWTH RATE: Moderate to slow

LIGHT: Prefers full to partial sun.

PLANTING AND CARE: Bird-foot Violet is adaptable as long as the soil is very well-drained where it will tolerate greater shade and moisture levels. It generally prefers a loose, sandy soil that stays dry. Adherence to this helps reduce the competition from other plants, while in moister conditions the plant is prone to rot. It can be somewhat difficult to grow.

ORNAMENTAL USE: Assets of Bird-foot Violet include the interesting foliage and large violet flowers. With age, it creates a gently rounded mound and makes a fine specimen and pot plant.

LANDSCAPE USE: Because of the difficulty involved with this plant, it is best suited to locations where its growing media can be easily manipulated. In the south, where the soils are heavy and retain a great deal of water, it may rot without tillage and the addition of gravel, grit, and sand exceeding 60% of the total volume of media. For this reason alone, it is less laborious and expensive just to grow the plant in a container. It may also perform well in raised beds and rock gardens.

HABITAT: Bird-foot Violet ranges widely in eastern and central North America from Georgia west to Texas, north well into Canada, and east to Maine. Favored habitats are dry, sandy fields and wood, upland sandy prairies, sandstone glades, cherty slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, and openings in rocky or sandy forests. This plant is largely restricted to high quality habitats. Fire is a beneficial management tool in areas with trees and shrubs.

WILDLIFE BENEFITS: Violet seeds are eaten by northern bobwhite and occasionally by songbirds. They have a sugary gel on them called an elaiosome which ants are attracted to. The ants eat the elaiosome and discard the seeds in their garbage piles, thereby planting them. It is occasionally browsed by white-tailed deer and ruffed grouse. Wild turkey forage on the tuberous roots. The flowers attract long-tongued bees, small butterflies, and skippers. Bee visitors during the spring include bumblebees and Anthophorine bees. Compared to other violets, the flowers of this species attract more butterflies and skippers, which are often held horizontal to the ground (face up) and easier for such insects to land on. The caterpillars of various Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage and flowers; the caterpillars of the Regal Fritillary may prefer this violet species over others as a food source.