Violets are members of the Viola genus in the violet family. The violets that are native to the Yuba-Sutter area are all perennial forbs with yellow flowers. The leaves and flowers of all violets are edible.
The caterpillars of the local Calippe fritillary butterfly depend exclusively on the California golden violet for food. The California golden violet is not native to Yuba or Sutter Counties, but is native to adjacent Colusa County, Sacramento County, and Yolo County. The caterpillars hatch in those counties, but the butterflies often venture into Sutter and Yuba Counties, where they drink the nectar of coyote mints and milkweeds.
Douglas' Golden Violet
Douglas' golden violet is a yellow violet that is native to Sutter County (on the Sutter Buttes) and typically grows at elevations between 2,000 and 7,000 feet. It is most often found on slopes in central oak woodland or yellow pine forest. It tolerates serpentine.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Mountain Violet
Mountain violet is a yellow violet that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 11,000 feet. It is found in yellow pine forest.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Moosehorn Violet
Moosehorn violet (Viola lobata) near Grass Valley, with deeply lobed leaves resembling moose antlers. Photo by queerbychoice. Moosehorn violet is a yellow violet that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 7,500 feet. It is most often found on slopes in yellow pine forest.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Canary Violet
Canary violet (also called Astoria violet) is a yellow violet that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations between 1,500 and 8,000 feet. It is most often found on slopes in yellow pine forest.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Shelton's Violet
Shelton's violet is a yellow violet that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations between 2,500 and 8,000 feet. It is found in yellow pine forest.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Pine Violet
Pine violet is a yellow violet that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations between 4,500 and 11,000 feet.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
