Halberd-Leaf Yellow Violet (Viola hastata Michx)

Family - Violaceae

Flowering - February - May.

Habitat - Deciduous woods, mixed woods.

Origin - Native to North America.

Photographic Location - Rock Island State Park in Middle TN.

Other information - This attractive little species can be found mainly in the Eastern Highland Rim east in TN. The plant is easy to identify becasue of its yellow flowers and hastate leaves.
 
The genus name Viola is the classical Latin name for the Violets.
 
The species epithet hastata derives from the Latin "hasta" meaning "a spear" or "spear-shaped" referring to the leaves.