Plant Profile: Viola sororia

Viola sororia, commonly referred to as the common blue violet, is a stemless perennial herb belonging to the Violaceae family. Its vibrant flowers have earned it the distinction of being the state flower for multiple states. This plant thrives in wooded areas, thickets, and along stream banks, particularly in shaded environments. It features glossy, heart-shaped leaves that sprout directly from its rhizomes.

The flowers are purple with white throats, and the three lower petals exhibit a slight fuzziness. The upright flower stem has a gentle droop, causing the blossoms to lean toward the ground. This species is adaptable to wet and clay soils and can even grow in proximity to black walnut trees. It blooms in the spring and is stoloniferous, meaning it has a horizontal stem above ground that can develop roots and vertical stems at its nodes, allowing it to spread rapidly—potentially becoming invasive in fertile, moist areas.

Close to the ground, some flowers remain closed, and their pale fruit contains numerous seeds. While the flowers have a mild flavor, they are edible; they can be added in small quantities to salads when raw, or cooked to create jellies and candies.

Commonly used as a wildflower in lawns, rock gardens, and as edging or borders, this plant readily self-seeds and can serve as ground cover along walls and pathways, with mowing helping to control its spread.

**Seasons of Interest:**
- **Bloom:** Spring to Summer, from April to August

**Wildlife Value:** The nectar from its flowers attracts butterflies and bees. Various specialized bees, including Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia, are supported by this genus. Additionally, the plant is resistant to deer damage.

**Insects, Diseases, and Other Issues:** There are no significant insect or disease threats, although it may encounter some challenges with slugs, snails, aphids, red spider mites, violet gall midges, powdery mildew, and pansy leaf spot. It self-seeds abundantly and can become weedy in lawns and gardens. During the hot summer months, the foliage may decline in quality.

**Quick Identification**

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