# Stone's Violet (*viola stoneana*)

Stone's Violet is a beautiful purple flower that blooms in spring. It loves sunny spots and can often be found in gardens and along paths!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Stone's Violet typically grows in gardens, meadows, and along roadsides.
- **Also known as:** Mountain Violet, Rock Violet

![Stone's Violet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Viola_stoneana_-_Tanya_Riseman_-_374209617.jpeg&width=800)

Photo: Tanya Riseman, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viola_stoneana_-_Tanya_Riseman_-_374209617.jpeg)

## Appearance

The Stone'S Violet has deep, velvety violet-blue petals, often with a contrasting white 'eye' or yellow center. Its small, heart-shaped leaves grow close to the ground, forming a low carpet of green beneath the striking blooms.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Despite being small, violets are tough and can even survive a cold winter!
- Its tiny seeds come with a yummy 'ant snack' that helps them travel far!
- Look closely for secret flowers that never open but still create new seeds!
- The heart-shaped leaves capture sunlight like mini solar panels for energy!

## Special abilities

- **Ant Helper:** Stone'S Violet can share its seeds with ants, which carry them far away to new growing spots!
- **Secret Seeder:** Stone'S Violet has hidden, self-pollinating flowers that ensure it can always make seeds, even without bees!
- **Ground Hugger:** Stone'S Violet can form dense mats, helping it compete with weeds and protect the forest soil.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 cm
- **Spread:** 5-10 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction
- **Symbiotic with:** [Field Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-ant) (*Formica subsericea*) — disperses seeds in exchange for a nutritious elaiosome
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — browses on leaves and flowers, especially in spring

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [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.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Stone's 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 Stone's Violet?

5-15 cm

### How wide does Stone's Violet spread?

5-10 cm

### How big are the flowers on Stone's Violet?

1-2 cm

### When does Stone's Violet bloom?

Spring

### Is Stone's Violet edible?

Yes

### Is Stone's Violet toxic?

None

### What is Stone's Violet's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Garnchayne Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garnchayne-park) — Virginia, US · Park

## 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: [Stone's Violet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stones-violet)