Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia sororia
native
Other Names:
Woolly Blue Violet, Missouri Violet, Broad-leaved Wood Violet, Northern Blue Violet, Northern Woodland Violet, Common Meadow Violet, Dooryard Violet
Confederate Violet
Viola sororia priceana
native
The Common Blue Violet is a native plant found in much of Virginia. When a species has races and color forms, the race that was named first becomes the nominate race, and the species and subspecies names of that race are the same. The scientific name of the nominate race of the Common Blue Violet is Viola sororia sororia. Another race that is mostly white with purple markings is the Confederate Violet, and its scientific name is Viola sororia priceana. The Confederate Violet used to be considered a separate species. Neither of these color forms is often visited by insects, but they do attract a few bees and flies. Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage. The genus Viola has a different origin than the musical instrument with the same name. The species name sororia means "sisterly", because many violet species look alike. The violet is a popular and well-known flower, as in the poems that begin, "Roses are red, violets are blue..." The Common Blue Violet is the state flower of Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Identification Tools
Illinois Wildflowers (Common)
Illinois Wildflowers (Confederate)
Friends of the Wildflower Garden
Go Botany
Minnesota Wildflowers
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Wildflowers of the US
Ranges
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