Home/Species/ Flett's Violet

Viola flettii

Piper

Flett's Violet

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 6 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank

HighThreat Impact

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.144559

Element CodePDVIO040M0

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicendemic to a single state or province

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassDicotyledoneae

OrderViolales

FamilyViolaceae

GenusViola

Other Common Names

Olympic violet (EN) Olympic Violet (EN)

Concept Reference

Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Conservation Status

Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2

Review Date2024-03-22

Change Date2024-03-22

Edition Date2024-04-15

Edition AuthorsGamon, J. & K. Maybury (1996), rev. Eberly and Miller (2024)

Threat ImpactHigh

Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)

Number of Occurrences6 - 20

Rank Reasons

Viola flettii is a perennial herb that is endemic to the Olympic Mountains in Washington, USA, occurring in subalpine and alpine areas on cliffs and in rocky places. A 2018 study found that this species habitat may contract by 89% by 2080 due to a changing climate. In addition to a significant threat of habitat loss, trampling by mountain goats is a threat.

Range Extent Comments

Viola flettii occurs in the western United States where it is endemic to high elevations of the Olympic Mountains of Washington.

Threat Impact Comments

Viola flettii is potentially threatened by introduced mountain goats, which trample alpine vegetation. High elevation species of the Olympic Mountains are predicted to be impacted by a changing climate due to "a pronounced decrease in winter snow and an increase in growing-season moisture stress" and when considered with topography the loss of habitat is more severe (Wershow and DeChaine 2018). In this study, suitable habitat for Viola flettii was found to contract by 89% by 2080 (Wershow and DeChaine 2018). While 2080 is beyond the time frame of the threat assessment, habitat loss, in the shorter term, is expected to reveal itself.

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This species grows in the alpine zone in rock crevices of cliffs, outcrops, and ledges and talus slopes in subalpine and alpine zones, often with Piper's harebell (Campanula piperi) at elevations of 1,589-1,980 m (Wershow and DeChaine 2018).

Terrestrial Habitats

AlpineBare rock/talus/screeCliff

Other Nations (1)

United StatesN1

Province	Rank	Native
Washington	S1	Yes

Threat Assessments

Threat	Scope	Severity	Timing
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Unknown	Unknown	High (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Unknown	Unknown	High (continuing)
8.1.2 - Named species	Unknown	Unknown	High (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weather	Pervasive (71-100%)	Serious or 31-70% pop. decline	High (continuing)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alteration	Pervasive (71-100%)	Serious or 31-70% pop. decline	High (continuing)

Plant Characteristics

DurationPERENNIAL

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (6)

Washington (6)

Area	Forest	Acres
Green Mountain	Olympic National Forest	4,617
Jefferson Ridge	Olympic National Forest	6,512
Jupiter Ridge	Olympic National Forest	10,148
Lightning	Olympic National Forest	7,179
Mt. Zion	Olympic National Forest	3,544
Quilcene	Olympic National Forest	18,656

References (5)

Abrams, L. 1951. Illustrated flora of the Pacific states: Washington, Oregon, and California. Vol. 3. Geraniaceae to Scrophulariaceae. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, California. 866 pp.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2015. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 6. Magnoliophyta: Cucurbitaceae to Droserceae. Oxford University Press, New York. 496 pp + xxiv.
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1994. Endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Dept. of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. 52 pp.
Wershow, S. T. and E. G. DeChaine. 2018. Retreat to refugia: Severe habitat contraction projected for endemic alpine plants of the Olympic Peninsula. American Journal of Botany 105(4):760-778.

Viola flettii

Habitat

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