Parma violet
CR

Parma violet

Viola alba

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_alba

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Parma violet faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its native range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in soil chemistry and moisture levels caused by intensive farming practices and climate change, which alter the specific conditions required for its survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Parma violet typically inhabits calcareous grasslands, woodland edges, and scrubland on limestone or chalk soils in Mediterranean and temperate European regions. The species requires well-drained alkaline soils with specific moisture conditions and partial shade to full sun exposure.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Violaceae

CR

Rinorea maximiliani

Unknown
EN

Rinorea deflexa

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EN

Rinorea bicornuta

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Pale Dog-violetCR

Pale Dog-violet

Viola lactea

Unknown

Threatened in Afghanistan

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

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small mallowVU

small mallow

Malva pusilla

Unknown
Asiatic Black BearVU

Asiatic Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus

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VU

Urial

Ovis vignei

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Parma violet classified as Critically Endangered?
Parma violet is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Parma violet faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its native range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in soil chemistry and moisture levels caused by intensive farming practices and climate change, which alter the specific conditions required for its survival.
Where does Parma violet live?
Parma violet occurs in Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, and Armenia (plus 45 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Parma violet?
The main threats to Parma violet are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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