There are two species of yellow violets which bloom during the first two weeks of June. All violets have irregular flowers, consisting of 5 sepals, 5 petals, and 5 stamens. The lowest petal bears a sac-like spur at its base and contains nectar. The whole flower arrangement favors cross fertilization. The genus Viola is considered a critical group with many difficult species, primarily because they hybridize freely under natural conditions. {Plants of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by Richard J. Shaw pg 98}

Yellowstone Wildflowers link (this is an Adobe pdf file).

by John William Uhler

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