The colors below indicate the kind of documentation available for this species
in the California counties where it occurs.
Western Dog Violet Viola adunca (Violaceae)
Like all species of Viola, the five petals of this species are of unequal size with the lowermost pair forming a prominent spur. Nectar is secreted into the spur from the bases of the two lowermost stamens. Pollinators are guided into this spur by lined markings on the petals. The pollinated flower of Western Dog Violet matures into a small capsule containing the seeds. The valves or units of the capsule wall shrink when dry, forcibly ejecting the seeds. Thus, violets have a built-in mechanisn that insures seed dispersal.
DISTRIBUTION: Damp banks, grassy meadows, and forest margins generally in the mountains of the Calif. Floristic Province; < 3500 m.
