Crowfoot Violet (Prairie Violet)

This unusual violet makes an interesting addition to rock or prairie gardens. With spring blooms, it provides visual interest through both foliage and flowers early in the season. While it prefers to be on the average-to-drier side in well-drained soil, it doesn't like to completely dry out. Mulching around the plant will help moderate moisture levels.

Like Early Blue Violets, Crowfoot Violet seeds form in a three-pronged capsule that points skyward at maturity before opening. As with most violets, they rely on a combination of ballistics and ant dispersal, aptly described in the scientific literature as "explosive ejection" and "ant exploitation". In the first phase, the capsule (which is the fruit) splits open and dries. As it dries, the prongs shrink, putting pressure on the seeds until they fire outward, landing up to a few meters away. The seeds also sport a fatty lump called elaiosomes that attracts ants. Ants carry the seeds back to their nest to feed the fatty tissue to their young, then haul the cleaned seeds out to their garbage dump: a nice little compost pile. Most violets use both dispersal methods but vary in their reliance on each — this species has a relatively large elaiosome so may rely more heavily on ant dispersal than our other native violets. So, don't be surprised if you find new seedlings in an entirely different part of the garden courtesy of our busy, six-legged friends. 

If you want to collect seeds, you will need to check the plant regularly for capsules and be ready to move quickly; there is a window of approximately 1-3 days between maturity (capsule pointing upward), the capsule opening, and seed dispersal. Once the capsule opens, seeds can 'disappear' in a matter of minutes to hours. Most seed collectors will pinch off capsules that point vertically upward and place them immediately in a closed paper bag. Shortly after collection, the capsule will open and the seeds will fire, contained in the bag. 

Crowfoot Violet seeds benefit from a longer stratification period. One study found germination rates increased considerably between 60-day and 120-day stratification treatments, ultimately recommending 120-day stratification for this species. (We still recommend checking seeds regularly during stratification for signs of germination.) They can also be overwintered outside for spring germination. Regardless of treatment, these seeds should be sown on the surface of the soil to receive light.