Habitat: Can be found in rich mesic areas, such as floodplains. Common in the mountains; infrequent in the Piedmont.
Wildlife Value: This plant supports Meadow Fritillary butterfly and Atlantis fritillary larvae. Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source.
Edibility: The flowers are edible.
Notes: Heavy shade and being planted under black walnut trees do not affect this plant. They freely self-seed to the point of being weedy.
Earth Sangha Inventory
Founded in 1997, the Earth Sangha is a nonprofit public charity based in the Washington, DC, region. The Wild Plant Nursery is the most comprehensive source of local-ecotype, native plants in the Washington DC region, and the region’s only facility dedicated exclusively to this type of propagation. “Local-ecotype” plants are propagated from local, wild, naturally-occurring populations and are well-adapted to local conditions and for wildlife species that depend on the local forms, such as pollinators. Inventory is updated on a weekly basis so number may not be accurate.
| Pots Available | Plugs Available | Location | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | Row 10 | View My Wishlist |