# Long-spurred violet (*Viola rostrata*) The Long-spurred violet is a lovely flower with pretty purple petals and long, pointy spurs. It blooms in spring and can be found in shady places like forests and along streams. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Long-spurred violet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Viola_rostrata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viola_rostrata.jpg) ## Appearance The Long-spurred violet has distinctive heart-shaped to kidney-shaped leaves and vibrant purple-blue to white flowers. Its most striking feature is a remarkably long, slender spur, often longer than the petals, extending backward from the flower. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malpighiales - **Family:** Violaceae - **Genus:** Viola ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name 'rostrata' means 'beaked' in Latin, referring to its distinct long spur! - Many Fritillary butterfly caterpillars can only eat violet leaves to grow into adult butterflies! - Native Americans traditionally used violet leaves to make soothing teas and healing poultices. - You can eat its fresh leaves and vibrant flowers, which are full of healthy vitamins C and A! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Beacon:** Long-spurred violet has an extra-long spur that stores sweet nectar, guiding long-tongued pollinators like bees to its delicious reward. - **Ant Snack-Pack:** Long-spurred violet seeds come with a tiny fatty treat called an elaiosome, encouraging ants to carry them away and spread new plants! - **Secret Seeds:** Long-spurred violet can produce hidden, unopened flowers near the ground that self-pollinate, ensuring seeds even when insects are scarce. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-20 cm - **Spread:** 10-25 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on leaves and tender shoots - **Eaten by:** [Great Spangled Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-spangled-fritillary) (*Speyeria cybele*) — Caterpillars feed on violet leaves - **Symbiotic with:** [Rough Harvester Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rough-harvester-ant) (*Aphaenogaster rudis*) — Carries seeds for their lipid-rich elaiosomes ## Traits - [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. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [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. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't pick flowers without asking an adult first, so we can enjoy them in nature! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Long-spurred 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 Long-spurred violet? 5-20 cm ### How wide does Long-spurred violet spread? 10-25 cm ### How big are the flowers on Long-spurred violet? 1-2 cm ### When does Long-spurred violet bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is Long-spurred violet edible? Yes ### Is Long-spurred violet toxic? None ### What is Long-spurred violet's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Field Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/field-farm) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bat-cave-and-cascade-caverns-state-nature-preserves) — Kentucky, US · Nature Reserve - [Elk State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Mohawk Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mohawk-trail) — Massachusetts, US · Trail - [October Mountain State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/october-mountain-state-forest) — Massachusetts, US · Forest - [Sand Bar State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sand-bar-state-park) — Vermont, US · State Park [View all places to see Long-spurred violet](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/long-spurred-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: [Long-spurred violet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-spurred-violet)