American Field Pansy, Field Pansy, Wild Pansy, Johnny Jump Up

Viola rafinesquei

vy (VYE)-OH-la  raf-in-ess-kee-eye (?)

SYN.

Viola bicolor

vy (VYE)-OH-la  BY-kul-ur

Synonyms of Viola rafinesquei (7) (Updated on 12-31-23 from Plants of the World Online): Mnemion rafinesquei (Greene) Nieuwl., Mnemion tenellum Webb, Viola bicolor Pursh, Viola kitaibeliana var. rafinesquei (Greene) Fernald, Viola rafinesquei f. caerulea Moldenke, Viola rafinesquei f. minor Moldenke, Viola tenella Raf.

Viola rafinesquei Greene is the accepted scientific name for the American Field Pansy. It was named and described as such by Edward Lee Greene in Pittonia in 1899. You can click HERE to read Mr. Greene’s original description on page 9 in Pittonia via BHL (Bioheritage Library). Ummm… The whole write-up by Green is hard to understand…

Many websites and databases still list Viola bicolor Pursh as the accepted scientific name. It was named and described as such by Frederick Traugott Pursh in Flora Americae Septentrionalis in 1813. To view this description on page 175 in Flora Americae Septentrionalis via BHL click HERE.

The genus, Viola L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-30-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 681 species in the Viola genus. It is a member of the plant family Violaceae with a total of 24 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Viola rafinesquei is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native. Other maps for Viola bicolor normally show Idaho as well. The map on the USDA Plants Database for Viola bicolor also shows a broader range in Canada. No maps are perfect and many use out-of-date data. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

I first found this Viola species in 2020 here on the farm in an area where hay had been previously stored. I took a few photos and uploaded them to iNaturalist which, at the time, suggested the species name was Viola bicolor. I cross-referenced their suggestion with the Missouri Plants website and they appeared to be correct. Since then, iNaturalist has updated the name to Viola rafinesquei which is now the accepted scientific name.

At one time there were three different Viola bicolor named by three different botanists… Plants of the World Online says Viola bicolor Pursh became a synonym of Viola rafinesquei Greene, Viola bicolor Hoffm. became a synonym of Viola tricolor L., and Viola bicolor Reiche became a synonym of Viola montagnei Gay. All the species are quite similar and sometimes Viola tricolor produces bi-colored flowers. Missouri Plants says Viola tricolor is rare in Missouri. Viola rafinesquei is a North American native, while Viola tricolor is an introduced species, and Viola montagnei is only found in Chili and Argentina in South America.

Viola rafinesquei is one of five species of Viola here on the farm and the only one that is annual. So, I never know where they will show up.

In 2020, I found only one in the area where hay was previously stored, in 2022 I found a HUGE colony in the back of the farm, and so far in 2023, I have found a few north of the chicken house.

There are more photos at the bottom of the page below the links for more information, including those from 2023.

The species is easily identified based on the appearance of its leaves and deeply lobed stipules. Where other Viola species on the farm prefer areas in shadier locations and loamy soil, this one likes full to part sun and more sandy soil. The others are perennial, while this species is a winter or spring annual…

Viola rafinesquei grows both basal and alternate leaves and also has large stipules. I say large, but that is in contrast to the small leaves. The green to purplish basal leaves are kind of odd with long flattish petioles (leaf stems), more like a spatulate leaf shape with a round tip. The circular tip has a few somewhat rounded to pointed teeth. The basal leaves are arranged in somewhat of a rosette around the bottom of the plant. Alternate leaves grow from the stems and are similar but smaller than the basal leaves.

It’s the leaf-like stipules that seem to get most of the attention. They grow from the axils of the leaves, are approximately 1” long, and are deeply lobed.

The single flowers emerge at the tip of long petioles from the leaf axils of upper leaves. The hairless petioles can be light green to purplish and have a curve at the apices just before the flower. The flowers have 5 petals and 5 sepals are approximately 2” across. The petals are normally light bluish violet becoming white near the throat. The two lateral petals have white beards near the throat and the lower petal has a yellow spot. The lower petal has darker stripes while the stripes on the lateral aren’t quite as dark. Flower color is variable, and even white flowers with a slight tint are not uncommon. Oh, the lower petals are somewhat lobed and can appear to be two petals instead of one.

The above photo shows where the petiole curves at the apex.

Viola rafinesquei is the only annual Viola species that produce cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers, but the Missouri Plants website says they are rarely produced in Missouri. Flowers are produced from March through May while cleistogamous flowers are produced later in the season.

Fertilized flowers produce a small ellipsoid seed capsule that is enclosed with persistent sepals. Upon drying, the capsule splits open and the seeds are ejected.

Bees and sometimes small butterflies and skippers eat the pollen and nectar of the flowers. Caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies feed on the leaves. 

I will continue taking more photos for this page and add them to iNaturalist. Their flowers are small, so practice makes perfect…

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX
(Viola/V. bicolor Pursh/V. rafinesquei Greene)
TROPICOS (GENUS/V. bicolor/V. rafinesquei)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/V. bicolor)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
JUSTOR
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/V. bicolor)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
DAVE’S GARDEN
DAVE’S GARDEN-ARTICLE
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-WEED ID GUIDE
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
NATIVE PLANTS OF THE CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA
BACKYARD NATURE
U.S. WILDFLOWERS
NATURESERVE EXPLORER
THE PRARIE ECOLOGIST
EAT THE WEEDS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂

MORE PHOTOS…