Species Details
Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesBasal, simple, ovate cordate, 1.5-4 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, margins round-toothed, hairy above, smooth below
FlowersInflorescence, solitary; flowers bilaterally symmetric; sepals 5, lanceolate, purple-tinged; petals 5, pale violet, often white at centre, beardless; lower petal 0.4-0.8 cm long, dark purple-veined, prominent spur; stamens 5, surrounding the ovary, lower two with spurs; pistils 1, ovary superior
Fruits and SeedsCapsule; subglobose; seeds 1.5 mm long, pale brown.
Scientific Name
Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
Common Name
great-spurred violet
General Description
A perennial herb with a slender, elongated rootstock; stemless.
Leaves
Basal, simple, ovate cordate, 1.5-4 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, margins round-toothed, hairy above, smooth below
Flowers
Inflorescence, solitary; flowers bilaterally symmetric; sepals 5, lanceolate, purple-tinged; petals 5, pale violet, often white at centre, beardless; lower petal 0.4-0.8 cm long, dark purple-veined, prominent spur;…
Inflorescence, solitary; flowers bilaterally symmetric; sepals 5, lanceolate, purple-tinged; petals 5, pale violet, often white at centre, beardless; lower petal 0.4-0.8 cm long, dark purple-veined, prominent spur; stamens 5, surrounding the ovary, lower two with spurs; pistils 1, ovary superior
Fruits and Seeds
Capsule; subglobose; seeds 1.5 mm long, pale brown.
Phenology
Flowering May to July.
Notes
2n=24
Similar species: V. nephrophylla can be distinguished from V. selkirkii by smooth, hairless leaves with a wide sinus between lobes.
Range/Distribution
Alberta: SW to central Alberta. CAN (BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, SK, NT, NU, ON, QC, YT); USA (AK, WA, MT, CO, NM, ND, SD, MN, WI, MI, OH, PA, NY, NH, CT, MD, VT, ME).
Citation
Page Citation for Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
Page Citation
"Species Details - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie, University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-18142. Accessed 06 Jun. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 14 specimens of this Species.
121558 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary
Date Collected2009-05-23
121559 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary
Date Collected2009-05-27
122791 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Nordegg
Date Collected1959-06-06
123617 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Meanook National Wildlife Area
Date Collected2004-06-12
55260 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Whitecourt Mountain
Date Collected1971-05-21
102933 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie; Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet; great-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Elk Island National Park, Astotin Lake
Date Collected2000-05-17
12843 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie; Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet; great-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1935-05-26
75638 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie; Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet; great-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Moonshine Lake Provincial Park
Date Collected1977-05-17
109966 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Saskatoon Mountain Natural Area
Date Collected1982-08-12
98755 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Notikewin Provincial Park
Date Collected1994-09-06
62078 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Yoho National Park, Yoho Valley
Date Collected1943-06-19
62079 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Yoho National Park, Yoho Valley
Date Collected1943-06-19
96829 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Alaska, Chugach State Park, Bird Ridge Trail
Date Collected1986-05-26
62076 - Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreat-spurred violet
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Quebec, Asbestos
Date Collected1952-06-10