Hookedspur Violet Viola adunca Violet family (Violaceae)
Hookedspur violets are common, often hidden among grasses and taller plants especially in aspen forests. Many Viola species commonly cover large areas with scores of flowering plants. Flowers, leaves, and stems of plants that grow at 9,000 feet may be two to five times the size of those growing at 12,000 feet. The plant's spur is no bigger than a mouse's nose; the whole plant is a miniaturized work of art. "Adunca" is Latin for "hooked" and probably refers to the spur at the back of the flower.
, 6-12" tall, with few leaves on stems. Leaves are , oval to egg-shaped, heart-shaped at base, with shallowly round margins. Leaves and flower stems branch from a main stem above ground on long stems. Deep blue to purple flowers, 5-petaled with white throats with purple lines pointing to the flower's center. Side petals are white hairy, and a sac-like spur is present at base of lowest petal. Flowers arise from leaf axils. are with dark brown seeds.
