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Native Plant Database

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Viola canadensis (Canadian white violet)
Vick, Albert F. W.

Viola canadensis L.

Canadian white violet

Violaceae (Violet Family)

USDA Symbol: VICA4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Canadian white violet is a leafy-stemmed perennial, 8-16 in. tall. The white flowers, sometimes tinged with purple, have yellow centers. Leaves are long-petioled, heart-shaped, and deep-green. Fragrant, white, bilaterally symmetrical flowers hang and face outward at tips of short, slender, purplish stalks that grow from axils of heart-shaped, fine-toothed leaves.

The flowers growing from axils of upper leaves, and the yellow petal bases, help distinguish this lovely Violet from other white-flowered species.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Orange
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: BC , MB , NB , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Que. & w. NH to s. AK, across n. U.S, and s. in mts.
Native Habitat: Moist, open wooded areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.

Benefit

Use Food: Edible flowers.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Propagation is by seed or division of plants with off-shoots.
Seed Collection: Approximate collection date in northern U.S.: Late May to late Jul. Often reblooms for Sep. collection. Seeds are usually scarce.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Michigan native plants for shady, low traffic area
May 10, 2006
Hello, I am looking for a recommendation for a Michigan native groundcover. I live adjacent to the Rouge River watershed and want to buy the right thing. The location is shady, infrequently walked ...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viola canadensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viola canadensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viola canadensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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