Description

This widespread viola grows throughout much of mountainous California. Rather unusual, dog violet ranges from sea level in the northern half of the state to alpine settings in the Sierra Nevada. Like all California violets, it grows as an expanding patch of low leaves. The leaves of the dog violet are dull green and heart-shaped. The spring blooms are light violet to purple with white and yellow centers. I suppose the shape of the flowers explains the common name. Dog violets appreciate a continually moist setting of bright shade. When happy it will spread via rhizome. Care must be taken to keep out larger plants and weeds, which can quickly overwhelm this little plant.