Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Viola sororia Willd.
Missouri violet, Common blue violet, Hooded blue violet, Florida violet, Meadow violet
Violaceae (Violet Family)
The glossy, heart-shaped leaves of this 6-10 in. violet are topped by purple flowers with conspicuous white throats; the three lower petals are somewhat hairy. The erect flower
stem droops slightly, as if bending its
head toward the ground. Perhaps that is why the flower is associated with modesty and decency (Andy Fyon).
In addition to the normal flowers there are often flowers near the ground that fail to open, but their whitish
fruit produces vast quantities of seeds. Violet leaves are high in vitamins A and C and can be used in salads or cooked as greens. The flowers can be made into candies and jellies. The Marsh Blue Violet (
V. cucullata), a similar species of very wet habitats, has dark blue-centered flowers borne well above the leaves.
Image Gallery:
12 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual Habit: Herb Leaf Complexity: Simple Size Notes: 0-1
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Green with purple
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE Native Distribution: E. NC to FL & LA
Native Habitat: Rich, moist woods; swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil. Prefers humusy, moisture-retentive soils. Does not spread by runners, but freely self seeds to the point of being invasive in optimum growing conditions.
Benefit
Use Food: Violet leaves are high in vitamins A and C and can be used in salads or cooked as greens. The flowers can be made into candies and jellies. (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
Last Update: 2010-04-25
