Three New Rostrate Violet Hybrids from Appalachia

Previously, four hybrids have been known to occur naturally among certain members of the “rostrate” violets of Section Viola in the genus Viola. During examinations of herbarium specimens in a systematic study of the section, three new hybrids were found from the Appalachian region, two represented by a number of specimens from widely scattered localities. The morphology of all three is described, and two, V. appalachiensisstriata and V. striatawalteri are given the names V.wujekii hybr. nov. and V. ✕cooperrideri hybr. nov., respectively. Low pollen viability and cleistogamous seed set are discussed. This constitutes the first report of interspecific hybridization involving V. appalachiensis Henry or V. walteri House.