Viola canadensis L.
Canadian White Violet, Canada Violet
Violaceae (Violet Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: VICA4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Canadian White Violet is a leafy-stemmed perennial, 8-16+ in. tall. The white flowers, sometimes tinged with purple, have yellow centers. Leaves are long-petioled, heart-shaped, and deep-green. Fragrant, white, bilaterally symmetrical flowers hang and face outward at tips of short, slender, purplish stalks that grow from axils of heart-shaped, fine-toothed leaves.

The flowers growing from axils of upper leaves, and the yellow petal bases, help distinguish this lovely Violet from other white-flowered species.

Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule , Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: BC , MB , NB , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Que. & w. NH to s. AK, across n. U.S, and s. in mts.
Native Habitat: Moist, open wooded areas
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.
Benefit
Use Food: Edible flowers.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Description
Canadian violets are eastern North American herbaceous perennial wildflowers in the violet family (Violaceae). Native to the mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina, they can be found in rich mesic areas, such as floodplains. The species epithet means “native to Canada.”

Performance is better in cool summer climates of the northern U.S. and Canada than in hot summers like most of North Carolina. Heavy shade and being planted under black walnut trees do not affect this plant. They freely self-seed to the point of being weedy.

They do not spread by runners like other violets; however, they may form clumps. They have showy fragrant white tinged with purple flowers from summer to fall. The flowers face outward at the tips of short, slender stalks. This variety can be distinguished from other white violas by its flowers that grow from the axils of the upper leaves and its yellow petal bases.

This plant supports Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona) and Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis) butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized miner bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.