Endangered Plants of Ontario

Green Violet

Hybanthus concolor

Status

Rare in Canada; extirpated from Connecticut, endangered in Iowa and New Jersey, rare in Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Range

New York, across southern Ontario to Wisconsin, south to Georgia, Mississippi, and Kansas.

Habitat

Moist, shady sites in ravines and on rocky slopes, also on floodplains, in rich, calcareous soils. Most of the Canadian populations are located along the Niagara Escarpment, prime habitat for green violet.

Height

30 cm to 1 m.

Bloom Period

May and June.

Factors contributing to its status

Green violet is at the northern limit of its range in southern Ontario.

Clearing and other disturbance of its habitat have further restricted its occurrences.

Notes

The leaves and the small green petals of green violet bear little resemblance to those of the true violets (genus Viola), but the stamens, pistils and seedpods are very similar. Close examination of the flower will reveal that the lowest petal has at least a suggestion of a spur at its base, although it is less well developed than that of the true violets.

Nectar, which attracts pollinating insects, accumulates in the spur. Later in the season, even smaller, cleistogamous flowers (see notes on fringed puccoon) are produced. These minute flowers do not open, nor do they produce nectar. The pollen is deposited directly upon the stigma as the anthers open. Seed production is thereby assured even if weather conditions prevent insects from visiting the spring flowers.

Habitat	Moist, shady sites in ravines and on rocky slopes, also on floodplains, in rich, calcareous soils. Most of the Canadian populations are located along the Niagara Escarpment, prime habitat for green violet.
Height	30 cm to 1 m.
Bloom Period	May and June.
Factors contributing to its status	Green violet is at the northern limit of its range in southern Ontario. Clearing and other disturbance of its habitat have further restricted its occurrences.
Notes	The leaves and the small green petals of green violet bear little resemblance to those of the true violets (genus Viola), but the stamens, pistils and seedpods are very similar. Close examination of the flower will reveal that the lowest petal has at least a suggestion of a spur at its base, although it is less well developed than that of the true violets. Nectar, which attracts pollinating insects, accumulates in the spur. Later in the season, even smaller, cleistogamous flowers (see notes on fringed puccoon) are produced. These minute flowers do not open, nor do they produce nectar. The pollen is deposited directly upon the stigma as the anthers open. Seed production is thereby assured even if weather conditions prevent insects from visiting the spring flowers.