Violets Viola lanceolata

Lance-leaf Violet is a native wildflower that has a widespread natural habitat, but is distribution is limited by its need for a consistently wet location.  It is found in coastal plains, bogs, swamps, wet meadows, along shores, and other wet locations. It spreads by runners. The common name Bog White Violet is derived from its growing conditions.

The dainty white flowers bloom for a period of around 3 weeks in late spring into early summer above a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves. The beardless, five petaled flowers are slightly irregular.  The petals are white and pale yellow at the base.  The two side petals are smooth with veins that may be barely viable, while the lower petal has many reddish-purple lines. These act as nectar guides for pollinators.   In the later part of the summer, inconspicuous, cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers are produced.  They have no petals.  Light green, ellipsoid to oblongoid seed capsules replace these fertilized flowers.  The capsule will split into 3 parts, each containing small dark brown seeds.  

This variety of viola is easily distinguished from others by its long foliage, individual leaves can reach lengths of up to 6" long.  There are typically 2 to 6 leaves per plant.  The upper blade is a medium green and hairless.  The lower is pale green and may be sparsely haired.  Gradually, they taper into light green to reddish-purple slender petioles.

Individual plants can be connected by stolons which may form small colonies.

Due to habitat loss by land development, Lance-leaf Violet was elevated to threatened in 1996.