Wild White Violet Viola macloskeyi
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Viola blanda subsp. macloskeyi
- Viola blanda var. macloskeyi
- Viola obliqua
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-OH-la
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- macloskeyi
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Subartic to Canada and U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- 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)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- In North Carolina, fruits are available from May to June. The green capsules split in three sections to release small, light brown to black seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 1/2", solitary flower is white with the bottom petal larger and having purple stripes. Flowers have a sweet fragrance. Blooms from May-August. In North Carolina, blooms from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Heart-shaped basal leaves rise directly from the root on smooth stems that are longer than the leaf.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stemless.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
