Taxon Report

Viola palustris L.

alpine marsh violet

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©2021 Scot Loring

Taxon Summary

Viola palustris, commonly known as alpine marsh violet, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Violaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens (coastal), and Coastal scrub (mesic), growing at elevations from 0 to 150 meters. Viola palustris is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Viola palustris L.
Common Name:
 alpine marsh violet
Family: Violaceae
Element Code: PDVIO041G0
USDA Plants Symbol: VIPA4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Mar-Aug Mar-Aug
Elevation: 0-150 (0-490)
General Habitats: Bogs and fens, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G5
State Rank:
 S1S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 10
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 8

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Del Norte (DNT), Humboldt (HUM), Mendocino (MEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Arcata South (4012471), Crescent City (4112472), Eureka (4012472), Fort Bragg (3912347), Rodgers Peak (4112421), Sister Rocks (4112462), Smith River (4112482), Trinidad (4112412)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 10 %
Other 1 10%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 1 10%

Notes
Often overlooked and rarely collected. Possibly threathened by habitat alteration. See Madroño 17(6):173-197 (1964) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 16 November 2025].