Crowfoot Violet (Viola pedatifida)
"No shrinking violet this one"Crowfoot Violet presence indicates high-quality remnant prairie
Crowfoot Violet
Story
Being one of Canada's three Prairie Provinces, much of southern Manitoba was covered in tall grass prairie prior to European settlement. Now only 1/20th of one-percent of the original tall grass prairie remains.
Tall grass prairie may be dominated by grasses, but it is the bursts of colour from its impressive variety of wildflowers that provides its unique beauty. A purple flower named the Crowfoot Violet is one such example.
Although the Crowfoot Violet can be grown in gardens, it does not like disturbed areas in nature. Its presence indicates high-quality remnant prairie, like the habitat found at Living Prairie Museum. The flower attracts bees and butterflies who pollinate other prairie plants. Wildfires often benefit the plant and help to renew the prairie ecosystem by burning off dead vegetation thus allowing small early-summer plants to have more light and space.