Viola canadensis L.

Canadian Violet; Canadian White Violet; Tall White Violet

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Canadian Violet is a native herbaceous perennial in the Violet family (Wiolaceae). It is native to central and northern Alabama. Canadian Violet occurs in hardwood forests, in rocky woods, and in ravines. It is an herbaceous perennial from a branching fleshy rhizome. It forms small clones from the rhizomes. Stems are erect, green in color, and pubescent or glabrous. Leaves are basal and cauline. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate to reniform in outline, cordate, with crenulate or serrate margins. The surface of the blade is glabrous or pubescent. The leaf is subtended by laciniate stipules. Flowers are solitary from the axils of the leaves. Each flower has 5 white petals. The petals often have a yellowish blotch towards the base and the lower 3 often have purple veins. The petals are often light pinkish or purplish tinged on the outer surface. The fruit is a capsule. Canadian Violet is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state) and globally as a G5 species (demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery). Canadian Violet is available from some native plant nurseries. It can be used as a ground cover or naturalize in areas of deep shade.—A. Diamond.

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Native S2 (State Rank) G5T5 (Global Rank)

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