# common blue violet (*Viola sororia*) The common blue violet is a pretty flower with heart-shaped leaves and lovely purple blooms. It often grows in gardens and meadows, bringing color to the springtime. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Meadows - **Also known as:** Blue Violet ![common blue violet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Viola_sororia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viola_sororia.jpg) ## Appearance The common blue violet has heart-shaped, scalloped green leaves emerging from the base. Its familiar five-petaled flowers are typically deep violet-blue, though variations in white or pale lavender can occur. The two upper petals point up, while the three lower ones have fine white hairs near the center. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malpighiales - **Family:** Violaceae - **Genus:** Viola ## Interesting facts - In ancient Greece, violets were used to make 'violet wine'! - Some violet flowers never even open their petals to make seeds! - Tiny ants are tricked into carrying violet seeds far away for a snack! - Violets have secret underground stems that help them spread quickly! ## Special abilities - **Seed Slinger:** Common blue violet can trick ants into carrying its seeds away by offering a tasty reward, helping it spread far and wide. - **Secret Seeds:** Common blue violet has hidden, tiny flowers that self-pollinate underground, ensuring seeds are made even if no insects visit. - **Underground Spreader:** Common blue violet can spread quickly using underground stems called rhizomes, forming new plants without needing seeds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-20 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Early spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Spangled Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-spangled-fritillary) (*Speyeria cybele*) — Larvae feed on violet leaves - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits open flowers for nectar - **Symbiotic with:** Silky Ant (*Formica pallidefulva*) — Disperses seeds in exchange for food ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before picking flowers. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common blue violet? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common blue violet? 10-20 cm ### How wide does common blue violet spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on common blue violet? 1-2 cm ### When does common blue violet bloom? Early spring to early summer ### Is common blue violet edible? Yes ### Is common blue violet toxic? None ### What is common blue violet's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Candler Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/candler-park-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [City Hall Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-hall-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Main Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/main-street-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Wildwood Park and Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildwood-park-and-trail) — Virginia, US · Park - [Crotona Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crotona-park) — New York, US · Park - [Franz Sigel Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franz-sigel-park) — New York, US · Park [View all places to see common blue violet](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-blue-violet) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Blue Violet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blue-violet)