Viola sororia, also known as the Common Blue Violet, is a perennial flowering plant that is native to eastern North America.

Other common names that it is known by include Common Meadow Violet, Purple Violet, Woolly Blue Violet, Hooded Violet or Wood Violet. The species name was formerly Viola papilionacea.

It is the state flower of Wisconsin, Illinois, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.

In developed areas it can become a weed as it grows well in lawns and cultivated areas.

References

• Viola sororia from the Connecticut Botanical Society
• Viola sororia from the Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
• 2003-04 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations: 1.10 State song, state ballad, state waltz, state dance, and state symbols.

Violaceae

Viola sororia