Life history

Species overview

Green Violet (Hybanthus concolor), a State Special Concern plant, is found in mesic hardwood forests. Blooming occurs early May through early June; fruiting occurs early June through early October. The optimal identification period for this species is early June through early October.

Synonyms: Viola concolor, Cubelium concolor

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Flowers greenish-white, tiny (4 to 5 mm), solitary to several on recurved peduncles in leaf axils; leaves broadly elliptic, abruptly acuminate at the tip and tapering to slender petioles at the base.
• Flower characteristics: Flowers greenish-white, 4 to 5 mm, solitary or several in the axils on strongly recurved peduncles jointed beyond the middle; sepals linear, nearly as long as the petals.
• Fruit characteristics: Fruit oblong-ellipsoid, 1.5 to 2 cm; seeds 5 mm.
• Leaf characteristics: Alternate, broadly elliptic to ovate-oblong, 7 to 16 cm long, margins entire, abruptly tapering to a sharp point at the tip, and tapering to slender petioles (1 to 2 cm long) at the base.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early May through early June
• Fruiting phenology: early June through early October
• Optimum time to identify: early June through early October

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Acer saccharum, Quercus rubra, Ribes sp., Berberis thunbergii, Rubus sp., Xanthoxylum americanum.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Green Violet (Hybanthus concolor). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in mesic hardwood forests.
• Soils: Rich soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Green Violet. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Green Violet. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Maintain high forest canopy cover; this species requires shaded habitat conditions.
• Species is extremely rare in the state and is of the highest priority for conservation; please consult with your District Ecologist or NHI staff to determine if the species is present on your site and for specific recommendations.

Other resources

Links to additional Green Violet information

• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Vascular Plants
• Freckmann Herbarium
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use