Viola "emarginata deltate"

Common names:

None.

Synonyms:

None.

Description:

Growth form, foliage and peduncle color and indument same as V. emarginata sensu stricto; plants in chasmogamous flower are thus far unknown, leaf blades in summer broaden in fruit to ≤ 84 × 75 mm, becoming broadly deltate to deltate-reniform, the terminal primary division excluding lobes lanceolate to narrowly oblong and bearing 1–2 short basal or medial lobes on each side, each primary lateral division with 3–4 short oblong lateral lobes, these commonly oriented apically; mature cleistogamous fruits and seeds unknown.

Similar species:

See Viola emarginata [species complex].

Ecology:

Dry to slightly moist sandy (uncommonly clayey) soils in clearings in oak-hickory woodlands, forest borders, sparsely wooded mesic flats.

Distribution:

Piedmont of e.-c. VA south to s.-c. NC, one isolated station in w. montane NC.

Rarity:

None.

Phenology:

Same as V. emarginata sensu lato.

Affinities:

Same as V. emarginata sensu lato.

Comments:

This regionally endemic variant should be sought in flower to determine any trait differences from other taxa in the species complex, and in mature cleistogamous fruit, to examine capsule and seed morphology.

Literature Cited:

None.

 

Authored by Harvey Ballard on 24 March, 2020; last updated 6 June, 2020.

Cleistogamous fruiting habit from herbarium specimen: NC, Montgomery Co., Mixed woods off Pekin Rd., 24 Jun 1966, C. B. Wood 116 (NCU)

Cleistogamous fruiting habit from herbarium specimen: NC, Stokes Co., 0.9 miles nw. of Chestnut Grove, 4 Jun 1958, A. E. Radford 34719 (NCU)

Map of Viola emarginata species complex by Harvey Ballard