Viola sororia

Viola sororia is a short-stemmed, herbaceous perennial plant that grows in well-drained and shady habitats. Blooming in the spring and summer (April–August), Viola sororia can be found in colors of white, blue, or purple. ==Taxonomy==

Hairless common blue violets with purple flowers and bearded spurred petals have been variously called Viola sororia, Viola affinis, and Viola pratincola. In the Chicago region, this hairless form is most frequently found in weedy areas such as old fields and lawns. Hairy purple violets with blue flowers have been called "true" Viola sororia and are rarely seen outside of remnant wooded areas. A form with white flowers that have a purple center has been called Viola sororia f. priceana (Confederate violet). Viola sororia has several named hybrids: • Viola × bernardii (Viola pedatifida var. pedatifida × V. sororia) • Viola × bissellii (Viola cucullata × V. sororia) • Viola × cordifolia (Viola hirsutula × V. sororia) • Viola × conjugens (Viola sagittata var. sagittata × V. sororia) • Viola × insolita (Viola pedatifida var. brittoniana × V. sororia) == Distribution and habitat ==

, Quebec, Canada Viola sororia is found primarily in forests and is interfertile, meaning it is likely and able to breed with other closely related Viola species. When the forest canopy closes, the leaves continue to grow and develop. Soils preferred by V. sororia are moist, rich, and well drained. ==Ecology==

Fritillary butterfly caterpillars, such as the great spangled fritillary and variegated fritillary, are dependent on these and other plants in genus Viola. The plants serve as food for wild turkeys, rabbits, deer, livestock, the mourning dove, the bobwhite, and the white-footed mouse. Native bees such as the mason bees, sweat bees, and the violet specialist mining bee, visit the Viola sororia plant for its nectar in the spring. Butterflies are also known to pollinate the species. V. sororia has no known toxicities. It has a low fire tolerance, and has no serious insect or disease problems. Its foliage usually declines in hot summers. ==Uses==

Beyond its use as a common lawn and garden plant, Viola sororia has historically been used for food and for medicine. Hildegard of Bingen proposed using it as a treatment for depression. The English herbalist, John Gerard, described applications for violet as, “It has power to ease inflammation, roughness of the throat and comforteth the heart, assumageth the pains of the head, and causeth sleep.”. The flowers and leaves are edible, however, the roots are not edible. The Cherokee have used it to treat colds and headaches. Rafinesque, in his Medical Flora, a Manual of the Medical Botany of the United States of North America (1828–1830), wrote of Viola sororia being used by his American contemporaries for coughs, sore throats, and constipation. Viola sororia can be used to decorate walkways and park areas. It may also work as an anti-inflammatory and has been used topically for skin conditions. Viola sororia is deer resistant. == Toxicity ==

Viola sororia leaves and flowers are edible in moderation and also safe to plant around pets. ==Cultural significance==

V. sororia is the state flower of Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. The genus Viola is known as a symbol of love and modesty by poets such as Sappho, William Shakespeare, and Christina Rossetti. This inspired a violet fad among the play's supporters, and possibly a violet boycott among its detractors. It is the reason the violet is sometimes called "the lesbian flower". ==Gallery==

Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia var. sororia) - Flickr - Jay Sturner.jpg|Flower VioletAlba.jpg|White flowering form Viola sororia "Freckles" 2010.jpg|V. sororia 'Freckles' ==References==