Patterns and trends in the geographical distribution of plant species provide us with valuable insights into their preferred habitats and their ability to adapt to various climatic conditions.  For example, Viola adunca (hooked-spur violet) is uncommon in southern sections of our region. It is absent from Connecticut and Rhode Island, and rather uncommon in Massachusetts.  We hypothesize that it has affinities for cooler, more northerly, climates.

By comparison, Viola brittoniana (coast violet) is uncommon throughut the seven-state region, and tends to be found in small populations in areas close to the Atlantic coast, in southern New England, New York and Maine.

Data presented below are at the state level.  The numbers refer to the percent of counties (for each state) from which at least one voucher specimen has been collected.  For instance, specimens of Viola pedata (birdfoot violet) are on file for ten percent of New York's sixty-two counties.  In other words, it is fairly uncommon in New York.

The data below were assembled by researchers at herbaria throughout the region in recent times. Refer to the sources cited below for details at the county level. 

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Page compiled by Arieh Tal, 2023.  ( www.botphoto.info )