Viola pubescens

Viola pubescens, often called downy yellow violet, is a plant species of the genus Viola. It is found in dry mixed and deciduous woodland areas of the United States and Canada; from Minnesota and Ontario to Nova Scotia, South to Virginia. It grows 6 to 10 inches tall and is a stemmed viola with stems that have leaves, it blooms from April through May.

Similar looking species include round-leaved yellow violet (Viola rotundifolia). The two species can be differentiated by leaf shape and leaf margin. Additionally V. pubescens has both basal and cauline leaves while V. rotundifolia has only basal leaves.