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Native Plant Database

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Viola missouriensis (Missouri violet)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Viola missouriensis Greene

Missouri violet

Violaceae (Violet Family)

Synonyms: Viola sororia var. missouriensis

USDA Symbol: VIMI3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Violets are a sign that spring has arrived, and this is often one of the most common violets found within its range. It prefers well-drained woodland soil, where it can colonize via rhizomes to send up numerous glowing purple blossoms in early spring.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual , Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Notes: Up to 6 inches high
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers up to 1 inch across
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr
Bloom Notes: Color usually purple or lavender, but can also be white. In Texas, typically blooms for 3 weeks in early spring.

Distribution

USA: AR , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MI , MN , MO , NE , NM , OH , OK , TN , TX , WI
Native Distribution: MN to GA to NM.
Native Habitat: Woodlands and riverine forests
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Well-drained sand, loam, clay, or limestone
Conditions Comments: Will go dormant during droughts.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Good for the moist but well-drained woodland shade garden
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0733 Collected Mar 8, 1993 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1017 Collected 2011-07-02 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-03-19
Research By: DEW

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