Identifying Violets

Here are some pointers to aid in identifying Violets.

Key points to observe when identifying Violets:

• stemmed vs. stemless
• flower colour
• leaf shape
• does the flower have any scent
• flower size
• flowers above, at, or below the level of the leaves
• hairs inside flower: what petals they are on, quantity, and are they clavate (club-tipped)
• habitat: wet or dry, woods or open area, in water
• size of flower spur
• auricles ciliate or not
• auricles extend back or not

• LeConte's Violet (Viola affinis)
  • flowers normal size
  • leaves narrowly heart-shaped with tapering tips, most are longer than broad
  • deciduous woodlands, NOT open fields, NOT bogs
  • flowers at about same level as leaves
  • sepal auricles poorly developed
  • lateral petals bearded; lower petal sparsely bearded
• Marsh Blue Violet (Viola cucullata)
  • flowers normal size
  • clavate (club-tipped) hairs
  • lateral petals bearded
  • flower light blue
  • flowers darker toward center (but throat is white): outer part is pale violet, then darker toward center, then white throat.
  • flowers: white form sometimes found
  • lower petal veined and shorter
  • flowers on very long stalks; flowers above leaves
  • wet woods, marshes: variety of habitats, but all wet
  • sepal auricles well developed, very prominent
  • sepals frequently ciliate
• Northern Bog Violet (Viola nephrophylla)
  • wet areas, in water, bogs
  • flowers normal size
  • flowers well above leaves, or at top of leaves
  • lateral petals bearded
  • lower petal bearded
  • lower petal longer
  • flower dark blue, white throat
  • lateral petals directed forward at an angle
  • sepals not ciliate
  • leaves just unfurling at flowering time
• Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda)
  • tiny white flowers
• Northern White Violet (Viola macloskeyi)
  • tiny white flowers - the smallest of all
  • flowers fragrant
  • damp but not wet areas
• Kidney-leaved Violet (Viola renifolia)
  • small white flowers
  • leaves: most are kidney-shaped

• Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)
  • flowers white with yellow throat and purple backside
  • flowers normal size
• Dog Violet (Viola conspersa)
  • flowers pale violet
• Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens)
  • flowers yellow
  • flowers normal size
• Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata)
  • obvious long spur at rear of flower
  • flowers normal size
• Pale Violet (Viola striata)
  • flowers cream/white coloured
  • flowers normal size