Viola

Viola violacea

Violas are sweet little flowers that bloom in many colors! They are closely related to pansies and are perfect for gardens.

Habitat: Gardens and flower beds

Appearance

The Viola has small, heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves, forming low-growing clumps. Its distinctive five-petaled flowers often boast vibrant hues of purple, blue, white, or yellow, frequently with darker blotches or lines, and a characteristic spur at the back.

KingdomPlantaePhylumStreptophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyViolaceaeGenusViola

Viola

Interesting facts

A group of violets is sometimes called a "fragrance"—imagine that sweet sound!

Ancient Greeks used violets to sweeten wine and even make medicine. Wow!

If you eat viola flowers, they taste slightly sweet and are packed with healthy vitamins.

Some violets have two kinds of flowers: open ones for bugs, and tiny closed ones that self-pollinate!

Special abilities

Viola can produce hidden, closed flowers that self-pollinate and guarantee seeds, even without helpful insects around.

Viola has special fatty treats on its seeds that entice ants to carry them away, helping the plant spread.

Viola can thrive in shady forest floors or under other plants, using light that might be too dim for others.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-30 cm
Spread: 10-30 cm
Flower Size: 1-3 cm
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Is Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits open flowers for nectar.

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

Collects nectar and pollen.

eats

Great Spangled Fritillary

Speyeria cybele

Larvae feed on viola leaves.

depends on

European Fire Ant

Myrmica rubra

Carries viola seeds for food.

Traits

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Spring Blooming

Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with these cheerful plants that burst into beautiful flowers as spring awakens the world.

Everblooming

Discover plants that seem to bloom non-stop, gracing your garden with colorful flowers throughout an extended season. They're always ready to show off!

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.