The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: common blue violet

Family: Violaceae (violet family)

Distribution: North America

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: There are two types of violets commonly found in our Woodland Garden. One of them is the common blue violet, which is often found in open woods, prairies, and near rivers or lakes. It blooms a bit earlier than yellow forest violet, the flowers appearing in late March or early April. The flowers, held on slightly drooping stems, are bluish purple with white throats and bearded side petals. The foliage is glossy and heart-shaped. As this plant is not frequently visited by pollinators, it produces self-pollinating flowers in summer; the flowers give way to three-parted seed capsules that fling out seeds.