Common Violet
(Viola sororia)

Left:  Viola sororia in ASMSA Garden in the early fall of 2024.

Above:  Mature Viola sororia in full bloom.

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Viola Sororia is best grown in partial sun or light shade and in moist to moderate circumstances. They can tolerate full sun if the moisture present is significant. They have a preference for well-drained soil that contains sand, silt, and clay with exceptional amounts of organic matter present.


Growth Habit/Description:

The Common Violet is a perennial plant that is stemless. It can grow anywhere from 6-10 inches in height and 15-25 cm in width. Its leaves are glossy and heart-shaped. They also have the ability to self-reproduce through self-seeding along with external pollination from various insects. It is a clump-forming plant with a relatively short lifespan.


Bloom Season:

Common Violets bloom from April to May. They typically have either a blue or purple appearance, but, in some instances, are white or pink.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

No.

Distribution

Habitat:  Viola Sororia is common along prairies with mesic black soil. It grows at a range of sites including open woodlands, savannas, woodland edges, and along rivers, creeks, or lakes.

Native to Arkansas?  Yes

Native to Garland County?  Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes.  The Common Violet is the host plant for each species of greater and lesser fritillaries, including the Diana Frittilary, the state butterfly of Arkansas.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes.   The pollen from the flowers attracts bees, Syrphid flies, and other insects most of which are pollinating. The foliage of the violets are fed on by both mammals (though not by preference) and the caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies. Their seeds are softly-appendaged which attracts ants and wild birds who help in the plant's distributing process. The Common Violet has also shown to be beneficial in regard to soil stabilization.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name:  The word sororia translates to "sisterly" and is attributed to this particular viola because of the multitude of other viola species.


Related Plant Species:   The Common Violet (Viola sororia), which is 6-10" tall, is larger and more aggressive than its relative Marsh Blue Violet (Viola cucullata), which is 4-6" tall. However, in comparison to other similar relatives, it is smaller. These relatives include the Canadian Violet (Viola canadensus) which is 9-15" tall and the Bird-foot Violet (Viola pedata) which is 4-10".


Use For Food/Medicine:

It acts as a food source for wild birds, herbivorous mammals, rodents, and humans. The leaves can be used to alleviate headache pain and, by use of an infusion, can treat dysentary, coughs, and colds as well.

References

Clausen, Casper. Logue, Nora.  c 2024.  Lake Forest (IL):   Lake Forest College. Viola sororia.  [Cited 2024, Sept 17].   Available from:  

https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/viola-sororia-(common-blue-violet)-violaceae

Hilty, John.  c 2004-2018. Illinois Wildflowers. Viola sororia.  [Cited 2024, Sept 17].   Available from:  

https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/cm_violet.htm 

Wheeler, Justin.  7. April 2017. c 2006-2024. Portland (OR): The Xeres Society. Viola sororia.  [Cited 2024, Sept 17].   Available from:  

https://xerces.org/blog/plants-for-pollinators-violets#:~:text=Viola%20sororia&text=Like%20monarchs%2C%20whose%20caterpillars%20only,their%20larva%20to%20feed%20upon.


Native Plant Trust. c 2024. Framingham (MA). Viola Sororia. [Cited 2024, Sept 17]. Available from:

https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Viola-sororia#:~:text=Wildlife%20Benefits%3A%20Flowers%20attract%20bees,Meadow%20fritillary%20(Boloria%20bellona). 



Edited by Jade Espinoza, September 2024.