Viola macloskeyi (Small White Violet): Minnesota Wildflowers

Viola macloskeyi (Small White Violet)

Plant Info
Also known as:	Northern White Violet
Genus:	Viola
Family:	Violaceae (Violet)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part shade, shade; moist woods, along shores, bogs
Bloom season:	April - June
Plant height:	2 to 5 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower:

A single white flower at the end of a hairless, leafless stem that is usually taller than the leaf stems. Flowers are less than ½ inch across with purple lines on the lower petal and may have a few short hairs (beard) at the base of the side petals, but is mostly hairless.

Leaves:

Leaves are up to 1½ inches long and wide, round or kidney to somewhat heart-shaped with shallow teeth around the edges, and hairless. Leaf stems are also hairless.

Notes:

There is more than 1 species of white violet native to Minnesota. Distinguishing features are whether the flower stems have leaves or not, whether the petals are bearded or not, the hairiness of leaves and stems, and the flower size. Small White Violet has no stem leaves, is mostly beardless, is hairless, and has smaller than average flowers.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

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More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN and Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Shoreview, MN May 2008 and April-May 2009.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Clinton in Duluth
on: 2011-05-12 21:42:57

found some North of Duluth. Photos are online at: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/5714414757_fe6c014353_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/5714976614_2b5c64ce4d_b.jpg

Posted by: Billie Jo in Moose Lake
on: 2011-05-14 21:15:18

I found a clump of these growing in my yard in the shade of my lilac bushes in sandy/gravel soil.

Posted by: Rita in South Saint Paul
on: 2011-05-16 18:30:09

Found several small patches of white violets blooming along the trail at Seidl's Lake Park & School Forest in South Saint Paul, Northern Dakota County on May 16, 2011.

Posted by: Vickie in Crosslake
on: 2012-04-24 20:50:09

found a small patch by the lake shore

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