White Mountain Violet Viola macloskeyi

Small White Violet is a native wildflower found in forests, wetlands, along wet banks and in meadows. There are two types of flowers.  Flowers that open are called chasmogamous.  Flowers having no petals and do not open are referred to as cleistogamous.  The latter, which are not produced until after the tree canopy is leafed out and the open flowers have matured.  They are smaller and will appear on separate stems, producing seed in the form of an ovoid capsule.  The chasmogamous flower is the fragrant of the two.

The single flowers rise on a slender, hairless, green or reddish stalk that rises above the basal leaves.  Having five petals, the uppermost two petals are angled outwards.  The lowest projects forwards and forms a spur at the rear.  The remaining two petals that project sideways have a few hairs near the base.  Dark purple lines cross the lower three petals.  The leaves are basal, growing at the base of the plant.  

Growing and spreading from stolons that root at the nodes, Small White Violet makes an excellent ground cover.  

This plant supports Fritillary (Boloria bellona) butterfly larvae. Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.