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Viola rafinesquei
Also called Wild Pansy, Johnny Jump Up, Lesser Wild Pansy, Field Pansy
Viola rafinesquii (syn. Viola bicolor), commonly known as the American field pansy or wild pansy, is an annual plant in the violet family found throughout much of North America. There has been some debate as to whether the plant is native to North America or if it was introduced from the Old World as a variety of Viola kitaibeliana, but it is now generally thought to be native to the North America. It is common in disturbed habitats but is also found in fields and open woods on substrates ranging from sandy soil to clay to limestone. It experiences a period of dormancy in the winter and flowers in the spring. V. rafinesquii holds a mutualistic relationship with ants, potentially aiding in reproduction. It held medicinal purposes among North American natives.
The American field pansy is native to North America, and can be found throughout central and eastern United States, ranging from New York to Florida. It can also be found in midwestern states, including Colorado and Arizona. V. rafinesquii can be found in large populations, often on roadsides. V. rafinesquii prefers sandy soils, but can survive in other habitats. Direct sun is also preferred, but the plant can survive in areas of partial shade. Although V. rafinesquii appears to be resilient in varying habitats in eastern North America, attempts to cultivate the species in California and Denmark were largely unsuccessful.
Viola abbreviata · Viola abyssinica · Hookedspur violet · White Violet · Viola angustifolia · Field Pansy · Australian Native Violet · Viola betonicifolia · Viola lutea subsp. calaminaria · Canadian white violet · Horned Pansy · Viola cotyledon
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Viola rafinesquei by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
