Ontario Wildflowers website

Canada Violet
Viola canadensis

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis) Other scientific names: Viola rugulosa

French names: Violette du Canada

Family: Violet Family (Violaceae)

Group: Violets

Distinctive features: White flowers with a yellow throat.

Similar species:
  •   Pale Violet (Viola striata) - Flower doesn't have a yellow throat.

  •   Northern White Violet (Viola macloskeyi) - Flowers much smaller.

  •   Kidney-leaved Violet (Viola renifolia) - Flowers much smaller; leaves have definite kidney shape.

  •   Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) - Flowers much smaller and are slightly fragrant.


Flowers: Spring;  White;  Irregular flowers

Habitat: Forests

Lifespan: Perennial.  

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 56    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 24    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 391   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Quite common.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: canadensis: of Canada


Photographs: 209 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

The showy white flowers of Canada Violet.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Closeup view of the Canada Violet flower, showing the yellow throat.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Side view of the flower. Note the purple backside of the flower petals.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

The backside of the flower is purple. This is a distinctive feature of Canada Violet.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Flower bud (left).

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Nice clump of Canada Violets.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Nice clump showing the leaves as well.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Basal leaves.

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Some plants in a sunny spot in the forest.


Range map for Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)