Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Viola ocellata is a species of violet known by the common names pinto violet, two-eyed violet, and western heart's ease. It is native to southern Oregon and northern and central California, where it occurs in the coastal foothills and mountain ranges. It sometimes grows in serpentine soils. This rhizomatous herb produces a hairy erect or decumbent stem measuring 5 to 37 centimeters long. The leaves have heart-shaped or roughly lance-shaped blades borne on petioles a few centimeters long. A solitary flower is borne on a long, upright stem. It has five white petals with yellow bases, the lowest three veined with purple and the two lateral ones with purple eyespots. The inside of the flower has long hairs. The outer surfaces, at least of the two upper petals, is usually stained dark red or purple.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

White, Yellow, Purple

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Sunset Zones

4, 5*, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17*

Plant communities

Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

3 confirmed and 15 likely

Confirmed Likely

Pacific Fritillary

Boloria epithore

Egleis Fritillary

Speyeria egleis

Venerable Dart

Agrotis venerabilis