The three lower petals are purple veined. This common name comes from the fact that the foliage resembles the shape of a birds foot. In contrast to the above species, Viola pedata is found mainly in a shale barren setting in well drained shaly, rock soil. It's variable colored flowers are among the most showy of the genus. The flowers are produced in profusion in early spring and held well above the foliage.
Colors range from pale blue to dark lilac.
A friend in Decatur, Georgia, Don Jacobs at Eco Gardens, has selected a lovely form and named it 'Eco Artists Pallete'. I hope that this brief foray into one small area of our native flora has wet your appetite for native plants and that you will come visit West Virginia, a true botanical paradise.