Bill's Botanical Forays

The Rainier Violet, Three-nerved Violet, or Sagebrush Violet (Viola trinervata (Howell) Howell ex A. Gray) is endemic to Oregon and Washington and thrives in moist sagebrush flats and rocky slopes. In Washington, it is found in the counties on the eastern slope of the Cascades. These photos were taken at the Ryegrass Summit Eastbound Rest Area.

 

 

 

 

It is a spring blooming perennial that goes dormant with summer heat. The leaves are thick and hairless, each with three veins. There is some variation with the petal coloration, but generally, the upper two are darker violet and the lower petals are lighter violet to lavender with a yellow and purple patch at the base and dark purple veins.