Viola glabella aka Stream Violet

Viola glabella is a small perennial in the violet family, Violaceae. Its common names include stream violet and pioneer violet. It grows in temperate parts of western North America. Records include Alaska, western Canada, and several western US states. Plants For A Future also lists the Kurile Islands in Russia. Its wild habitats include damp woods and ground beside streams. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This low plant reaches about 0.33 feet (0.1 metres) tall. Its spread is about 0.66 feet (0.2 metres). Its small size suits the edges of shaded woodland beds. The flowers are yellow and appear from April to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the blooms. The supplied sources give no species-level details about fruit or seeds. They also give no clear account of leaf shape.

Grow stream violet in cool soil with plenty of humus. Keep the soil moist, but allow excess water to drain. Choose partial shade or shade filtered through trees. Shelter the plant from hot, drying winds. Sandy, loamy, and clay soils can all support it. Mildly acid to neutral soil suits it best. The stated preferred pH range is 6 to 6.5. High pH can cause chlorosis, which makes leaves lose their green colour. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8.

A woodland garden or shaded border edge matches its needs. Raise plants from seed or divide established clumps. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame during autumn. Sow stored seed there in early spring. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Plant them out in summer. Divide clumps in autumn or just after the flowers fade. Small divisions benefit from time in pots under light shade. Let them grow well before planting them in the garden.

Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. They can also help thicken soups. The leaves can be used to make tea. Eat the yellow flowers with care, not in large amounts. Large servings can cause diarrhoea, despite their listed food use. Plants For A Future reports no known medicinal uses. It also lists no other uses and flags no weed potential.