Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Saturday - June 23, 2007

From: Oak Ridge , NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Tentative identification of Viola sagittata
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am trying to find name of wildflower, Violet growing in adjoning woods. I have not been able to find it on internet. The non-basal leaves are very irregular in shape, grow to six inches, no two alike and darker green than the basal leaves which are the same shape and color of common violet leaves. Flower is a bluish violet with two-up large petals and three down. Pistil is muted golden yellow. Any suggestions where to find info on this violet? Thank you

ANSWER:

One possibility for your violet is Viola sagittata (arrowleaf violet). Another possibility is Viola �palmata (early blue violet).

Both of these have features that somewhat match your description. However, it is very difficult to identify plants by description alone. If you can send us a digital photo, we would have a better chance of giving you a definite identification. You can find instructions for submitting photos for identification on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page.

Viola sagittata