Common Names: Marsh Violet, Alpine Marsh Violet, Blue Runner Violet

USDA lists two varieties. ITIS lists none (both varieties are listed as Syn.)
var. palustris: Common variety, found throughout west and northern NA
var. brevipes: C&H gives this as the pure white form, primarily found in the Rockies.

Note the violet to pale blue petals to +- white with the lower three having dark violet veins. The two side petals are bearded. The difference between the white form of V. palustris and the very similar V. macloskeyi is the upper two petals have purplish veining for V. palustris while V. macloskeyi is pure white with no veining. Leaves are heart-shaped to oval heart-shaped, with smooth to blunt rounded teeth (crenate).

east Central Cascades
TRAIL: Thorp Lake
HABITAT: montane forest seep
ELEVATION: 1,330 m (4,370 ft)
BLOOM TIME: 24-MAY