Blue Marsh Violet Viola cucullata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Viola obliqua
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-OH-la kuk-yoo-LAY-tuh
- Description
-
Marsh Blue Violet is a native wildflower that prefers moist to wet soils in prairies, fields, streams and pond edges. Its common name comes from its wet native habitat. It grows in a variety of soils and in sun to dabbled shade. Single, light blue to blue-violet flowers are borne well above the leaves. Classified a stemless variety, it can be distinguished from other varieties of eastern stemless blue violas by the length of its peduncle (flower stalk). Where Marsh Blue Violets peduncle is taller than any of the leaves on the plant, other varieties have peduncle the same length or shorter than any of its leaves. Its flowers are also distinctive. The two lower, outer petals have hairs that are club tipped.
The leaves form from a horizontal rhizome. They are basal with palmate veins and can be erect to ascending. After flowering, the size of the leaves will expand.
In North Carolina, it is common to find this specimen in the Mountains, uncommon in the Piedmont and rare in the Coastal regions.
Insects, Diseases and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to fungal leaf diseases. Watch for slugs and snails.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Striata Alba'
- 'White Czar'
White blooms with cream throats and purple veining on bottom petal
- 'Striata Alba'
- 'Striata Alba', 'White Czar'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Striata Alba'
- 'White Czar'
White blooms with cream throats and purple veining on bottom petal
- 'Striata Alba'
- 'Striata Alba', 'White Czar'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- cucullata
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Violet has been used as a herbal medicine for cancers and minor ailments.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- The leaves are rich in Vitamin A and C and can add variety to spring salads.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The ovoid-oblongoid seed capsules are about ½" long and light green. At maturity, the capsule will split into three sections to release its seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 3/4 inch blue-violet flower with 5 petals and a spurred lower lip that is darker towards the center. They are long-stalked and grow higher than the leaves. The lowermost petal has a patch of white with radiating purple veins in the front, while in the back it has a short stout nectar spur.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Has a low rosette of basal leaves spanning about 6" across, from which one or more flowering stalks develop. The heart-shaped basal leaves are up to 3½" long and 3½" across and medium green.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
