Viola canadensis

This native perennial wildflower is 6-14" tall, producing both basal and cauline leaves. The blades of both basal and cauline leaves are up to 4" long and 2½" across; they are medium to dark green, cordate or oval-cordate, palmately veined, and slightly crenate along their margins. The upper surfaces of the blades are hairless. For the typical variety of Canada Violet, the lower surfaces of the blades are largely hairless, except for fine hairs along the major veins. For var. rugulosa, these lower surfaces are more hairy. Basal leaves have longer petioles than cauline leaves. The flowering plants produce stems with alternate leaves. These stems are light green, somewhat angular, and sometimes finely pubescent. At the base of the petioles of each alternate leaf, there is a pair of linear-lanceolate stipules up to 1/3" long; these stipules lack teeth. Individual flowers are produced from the axils of the alternate leaves. The slender pedicels raise the flowers only a little above the foliage. Each flower is ½–¾" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, and a short nectar spur; the petals are much larger than the sepals. The reproductive organs are largely hidden within the throat of the flower. The lower petal has dark purple veins, while the two lateral petals have such veins to a lesser extent. The two lateral petals also have small tufts of hairs near the throat of the flower, where there is a conspicuous yellow patch. The back sides of the petals are light purple. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and sometimes during the fall. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Later in the summer, inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers are produced, which are self-fertile. Each fertile flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule up to ½" long. This capsule is initially green, but it later turns brown and divides into 3 segments, flinging the seeds. The root system is fibrous and either rhizomatous or stoloniferous. Colonies of plants are often produced.

Canada Violet is a rare wildflower that is restricted to the northern two tiers of counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as "endangered." It is native to the driftless area of NW Illinois, while populations in NE Illinois may be descendants of plants that have escaped cultivation. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands and bluffs. Canada Violet is normally found in high quality woodlands, although escaped cultivated plants are likely to appear in more disturbed areas.

Viola neomexicana Greene:
Mexico (Mesoamerica)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Viola canadensis L.:
Canada (North America)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Canada Violet is a rare wildflower that is restricted to the northern two tiers of counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as "endangered." It is native to the driftless area of NW Illinois, while populations in NE Illinois may be descendants of plants that have escaped cultivation. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands and bluffs. Canada Violet is normally found in high quality woodlands, although escaped cultivated plants are likely to appear in more disturbed areas.

The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and Andrenid bees. The Andrenid bee, Andrena violae, is an oligolectic visitor of violet flowers. Other floral visitors include bee flies and occasional skippers and butterflies. These latter insects seek nectar. The larvae of many moths and butterflies feed on the foliage of violets (see Lepidoptera Table). These larvae often hide during the day, but come out at night to feed. Other insects that feed on violets include Neotoxoptera violae (Violet Aphid), the larvae of Ametastegia pallipes (Violet Sawfly), and Odontothrips pictipennis (Thrips sp.). Among vertebrate animals, the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the seeds and fleshy roots. Other animals that occasionally feed on violets in wooded areas include the White-Tailed Deer (foliage), Eastern Chipmunk (stems & leaves), White-Footed Mouse (seeds), and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta). However, the importance of violets as a food source to vertebrate animals is relatively low.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 4
Specimens with Barcodes: 7
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

This violet prefers dappled sunlight to light shade during the spring, but tolerates greater shade during the summer. Other cultural requirements include more or less mesic conditions, a rich soil containing loam and decaying organic matter, and cool summer temperatures.