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

North America Virginia

Common Blue Violet
Extensive area of Common Blue Violets blooming in April

Common Blue Violet
Patch of Common Blue Violets blooming in April

Common Blue Violet
Common Blue Violet flower behind an accompanying leaf

Common Blue Violet
Common Blue Violet flower

Common Blue Violet
Common Blue Violet flower

Common Blue Violet
Common Blue Violet seed capsule

Common Blue Violet
Common Blue Violet leaves coming up in spring from overwintered rhizomes

Common Blue Violet
Whitish Confederate Violet race blooming among the purple Common Blue Violets

Confederate Violet
Confederate Violet flower

Confederate Violet
Confederate Violet leaves and flowers

Confederate Violet
Clump of Confederate Violets blooming in April

Confederate Violet
Clump of Confederate Violets blooming in April

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