Canadian white violet

not listed

NNR - Unranked

SNR - Unranked

not listed

FACU - Facultative upland

FACU - Facultative upland

FACU - Facultative upland

Canadian white violet is a 8″ to 16″ tall, erect, perennial forb that rises from superficial rhizomes. It is colonial by producing horizontal stems (stolons) that grow along the ground, rooting and sending up new plants at the nodes.

The stems are erect, leafy, and usually hairy. Leaves and flowers appear on the same stem.

Basal leaves large and on long stalks. They are heart-shaped at the base and taper to a point at the tip with straight sides along the tip. Stem leaves are alternate and are similar to the basal leaves only narrower. They are 2″ to 4″ long and usually wider than they are long. Lower stem leaves are widely spaced. Upper stem leaves are larger and more densely crowded. There are small, lance egg-shaped, untoothed stipules at the base of the flower stalks.

The inflorescence is a single flower rising on a slender stalk rising from the upper leaf axils.

The flowers are 1″ to 1½″ wide. There are 5 white petals in an arranged typical of violets, two upper, two lateral, and a broad lower lip. The petals are yellow near the center. The lateral and lower petals have dark purple veins near the center. The lateral petals have tufts of hair near the center (bearded). All petals, but especially the two upper ones, are purplish on the outside.

The fruit is a capsule just under ½″ long. When the plant is in fruit the stipules dry and translucent.

8″ to 16″

White with yellow centers

Moderate moisture. Woods.

April to June

Sources

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28.

Native

Plant

Flower