Species PlantsCanada Violet

Canada Violet

Viola canadensis

CommonPlant
Illustration of Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Canada Violet is a tall native woodland violet with white flowers tinged purple on the back, blooming in May in rich deciduous and mixed forests. Like all violets, it is the exclusive larval host plant for fritillary butterflies. It reproduces abundantly through cleistogamous (closed, self-fertilizing) flowers that develop in summer beneath the plant.

Habitat
Rich moist deciduous and mixed forests across northern North America
Diet
Larval host for all North American fritillary butterflies; seeds dispersed by ants
How common
Common

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