Family: Violaceae
sweet white violet
Merel R. Black
Robert W. Freckmann
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Viola: a classical Latin name for violets
Plants: erect, perennial forb, basically stemless; creeping rhizomes later developing obvious stolons
Leaves: oval with heart-shaped base, dark green, satiny
Flowers: white, 5-parted, less than 1" wide, fragrant, 3 lower petals with brownish lines at the base, mostly beardless, upper 2 petals twisted and pointing backward, 2 side petals pointing forward; solitary, basal; blooms April-June
Fruits: purplish, oval, capsule with dark brown seeds
Habitat: shady; moist; woods, forests, slopes; in deep humus soil; usually under evergreens
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial forb, basically stemless; creeping rhizomes later developing obvious stolons
Leaves: oval with heart-shaped base, dark green, satiny
Flowers: white, 5-parted, less than 1" wide, fragrant, 3 lower petals with brownish lines at the base, mostly beardless, upper 2 petals twisted and pointing backward, 2 side petals pointing forward; solitary, basal; blooms April-June
Fruits: purplish, oval, capsule with dark brown seeds
Habitat: shady; moist; woods, forests, slopes; in deep humus soil; usually under evergreens
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = FACW- USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Robert W. Freckmann
Merel R. Black
James R. Sime
Robert W. Freckmann
