Etymology: Viola: a classical Latin name for violets
Plants: erect, perennial forb, mostly hairless, basically stemless; short rhizomes usually branching to form colonies
Leaves: usually with heart-shaped base, small rounded teeth, oval to kidney-shaped, up to 4" wide, stalks rising at an angle
Flowers: light violet to blue, 5-parted, 1"-1 1/2" wide, petals widely open; densely-bearded side petals with hairs with knob-like ends, spur petal beardless; solitary, basal, long-stalked, often taller than the leaves; blooms April-June
Fruits: oval to cylindrical capsule with almost black seeds
Habitat: wet; meadows, woods, bogs, swamps
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions