Viola appalachiensis

Considered a distinct species (hybrid-derived) by Ballard and Wujek (1994); H. Ballard remains of the opinion that it is a distinct good species. Prior to that work, McKinney (1986) had argued that it was not distinct from V. walteri; currently, he recognizes it as the distinct variety V. walteri var. appalachiensis (McKinney and Russell 2002). This varietal status aligns with FNA (vol. 6, 2015). See Grund and Isaac (2007) for further taxonomic discussion.

Although this species has a relatively limited mid-Appalachian range and only about 60 documented occurrences are presumed extant, it is thought to be often overlooked and more sites have been located recently. In addition, it appears to respond positively to human disturbance, such that its apparent relative rarity may overstate the conservation concern; in fact, it may be more common today than it was before human settlement. Threats are believed to be low overall and include competition with invasive species such as Microstegium vimineum, succession (caused by, e.g., changes in mowing frequency), and road widening.

This element is regionally endemic to West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina; the North Carolina occurrences are disjunct from the rest of the range. There are no reports of the species from Virginia. The greatest concentration of the species may be in Somerset County, Pennsylvania; occurrences are also now know from further north in Pennsylvania than once thought (S. Grund, pers. comm. 2009).

Approximately 60 occurrences are believed extant, mostly in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, with fewer in Maryland and North Carolina. An additional 23 historical occurrences are known, almost entirely in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It is believed that additional occurrences likely remain to be discovered; some new occurrences have been discovered in the past 10 years (Grund and Isaac 2007).

Threats to this species are relatively low. Threats may include increased competition from invasive species. For example, Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) is increasing within its range; although it is unclear whether competition with the Microstegium is a direct threat at present, it may become one in the future. Many land disturbances often perceived as threats may actually be of benefit to the species, as it is often found in areas that are routinely mowed, on dirt roads, and in old fields; succession may be a threat at some sites. For some roadside sites, potential reductions in mowing frequency may be a threat (allowing competing species to increase), along with more typical road-related threats such as herbicide spraying and road widening. Minor threats include land-use conversion, habitat fragmentation, and forest management practices (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002); for example, one North Carolina site is threatened by second home development, and some logging-related impacts may be problematic, although the species was observed to initially increase following logging at at least one site. Other issues noted for one or a few sites include trampling, heavy ORV use, browsing, exposure to acid mine drainage, and overgrazing of the pasture in which plants were located.