Viola nuttallii

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

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|image = Viola nuttalli.jpg

|genus = Viola (plant)

|species = nuttallii

|authority = Pursh

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Viola nuttallii (Nuttall's violet or yellow prairie violet{{GRIN | accessdate=2010-03-11}}) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the violet family (Violaceae), and is one of the few violet species with lanceolate leaves. It is native to the western Canada and the north-central and western United States,{{NPIN|VINU2|Viola nuttallii |access-date=2010-03-11}} appearing in upper steppe lands, forests, and alpine ridges.{{Cite book|last=Taylor|first=Ronald J.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/25708726|title=Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary|publisher=Mountain Press Pub. Co|year=1994|isbn=0-87842-280-3|edition=rev.|location=Missoula, MT|pages=168|language=en|oclc=25708726|orig-year=1992}}

The genus name Viola means violet in Latin. For Nuttall's violet the only purple coloring is the nectar guides in the throat of the flower.{{cite web |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/viola_nuttallii.shtml |title=Nuttall's Violet |website=Plant of the Week |publisher=US Forest Service |access-date=2012-05-08}} The species name is given in honor of noted botanist Thomas Nuttall.

The plant is highly variable, usually with bright yellow petals. The veined, elliptical leaves are {{Convert|2.5-10|cm|sp=us|frac=4}} long.

The species serves as a larval host for the Coronis fritillary butterfly.

The leaves and flowers of the plant are edible as well as high in vitamins A and C. However, the rhizomes, fruits, and seeds are high in saponins and should not be eaten. {{Cite web |title=Nuttall's Violet |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/viola-nuttalli |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=www.fs.usda.gov}}