# Viola (*Viola violacea*)

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

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and flower beds
- **Also known as:** Wild Violet

![Viola](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424274/objects/4914.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

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

- **Secret Seeds:** Viola can produce hidden, closed flowers that self-pollinate and guarantee seeds, even without helpful insects around.
- **Ant Attractor:** Viola has special fatty treats on its seeds that entice ants to carry them away, helping the plant spread.
- **Shade Dweller:** 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
- **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](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.
- [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Viola?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Viola?

10-30 cm

### How wide does Viola spread?

10-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Viola?

1-3 cm

### When does Viola bloom?

Spring to Fall

### Is Viola edible?

Yes

### Is Viola toxic?

Mild

### What is Viola'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: [Viola: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/viola)