# Early Dog-violet (*Viola reichenbachiana*)

The Early Dog-violet is a pretty purple flower that blooms in spring. It loves to grow in woodlands and grassy areas, bringing color to the forest floor.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Woodlands

![Early Dog-violet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Viola_reichenbachiana_LC0128.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viola_reichenbachiana_LC0128.jpg)

## Appearance

The Early Dog-violet has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and small, deep violet-purple flowers with a distinct white spur. Its lower petals often show fine darker lines, and it holds its blooms upright, distinguishing it from other close relatives.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Malpighiales
- **Family:** Violaceae
- **Genus:** Viola

## Interesting facts

- Early Dog-violet seeds have a tiny, tasty snack on them that ants love to carry away!
- Its bright purple blooms are one of the first splashes of vibrant color you'll see in spring!
- Some of its flowers never open but still make seeds – it's a secret gardener!
- The lowest petal has guiding lines and a spur, like a tiny landing strip for thirsty bees!

## Special abilities

- **Ant Gardener:** Early Dog-violet has special fatty attachments on its seeds that ants collect, helping to spread its seeds far and wide.
- **Spring Pioneer:** This violet can bloom very early in spring, taking advantage of precious sunlight before tree leaves develop fully.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 cm
- **Spread:** 5-10 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-1.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Early spring to late spring
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its flowers.
- **Symbiotic with:** Red wood ant (*Formica rufa*) — Disperses seeds by carrying elaiosome-rich seeds to nests.
- **Eaten by:** [Silver-washed Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-washed-fritillary) (*Argynnis paphia*) — Its larvae feed on the leaves of various violet species.

## 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.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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

Do not pick flowers without permission, and always be gentle with plants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Early Dog-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 Early Dog-violet?

5-15 cm

### How wide does Early Dog-violet spread?

5-10 cm

### How big are the flowers on Early Dog-violet?

1-1.5 cm

### When does Early Dog-violet bloom?

Early spring to late spring

### Is Early Dog-violet edible?

Yes

### Is Early Dog-violet toxic?

Mild

### What is Early Dog-violet's lifecycle?

Perennial

## 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*)

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Source: [Early Dog-violet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/early-dog-violet)