The Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is a short-stemmed, herbaceous perennial plant that is native to eastern North America. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and shaded lawns, and is well known for its ecological importance. One of its most significant roles in the environment is serving as a crucial food source for the caterpillars of fritillary butterflies, which rely on the plant as part of their life cycle. Additionally, Woolly Blue Violet provides sustenance for a variety of wildlife, including wild turkeys, rabbits, deer, and livestock, as well as smaller creatures such as mourning doves, bobwhite quail, and white-footed mice.
Beyond its ecological contributions, the Woolly Blue Violet holds cultural and historical significance. It has been designated as the state flower of Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, a testament to its widespread presence and beauty. Additionally, the plant carries an important symbolic meaning in LGBTQ+ history. In the early 1900s, the common blue violet was nicknamed the "lesbian flower" due to its association with romantic gestures between women. Lesbian women would present violets to the women they admired, symbolizing their "Sapphic" desire—a reference to the ancient Greek poet Sappho, who famously wrote about love between women and described herself and her lover wearing garlands of violets. This practice was particularly popular between 1910 and 1930, further cementing the flower’s connection to queer history.
The species name sororia means "sisterly," a reference to the plant's close resemblance to other species within the violet family. This reflects the Woolly Blue Violet’s tendency to blend in with its botanical relatives while still maintaining its own unique characteristics. With its ecological significance, historical symbolism, and natural beauty, the Woolly Blue Violet remains an important and cherished species across its native range.
The Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is valued not only for its ecological importance but also for its practical uses in landscaping and agriculture. Its low-growing, dense foliage and vibrant blue-purple flowers make it a popular choice for ground cover in gardens, naturalized areas, and shaded landscapes. The plant’s ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions and its resistance to pests make it a low-maintenance addition to gardens, where it can help suppress weeds and add visual appeal. Additionally, its role as a pollinator-friendly species makes it beneficial for supporting local biodiversity, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
In the realm of rational and holistic medicine, the Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia) has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, particularly in the treatment of various ailments. One common application of the plant is in the form of a poultice, which has been used to alleviate the pain of headaches. The soothing properties of the plant, when applied directly to the forehead, are believed to help reduce tension and discomfort. Additionally, an infusion made from the leaves or flowers of Woolly Blue Violet has been used in herbal medicine to treat dysentery, coughs, and colds. The infusion is thought to have mild anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, making it useful for soothing irritated respiratory passages and aiding digestion.
Beyond these uses, the plant's medicinal benefits extend to skin health as well. A poultice made from crushed roots of the Woolly Blue Violet has been applied to boils and other skin inflammations, helping to reduce swelling and promote healing. The plant's natural compounds may contribute to its effectiveness as a gentle remedy for minor infections and irritations. While Woolly Blue Violet has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, it is important to approach its applications with caution and consult knowledgeable herbalists or healthcare professionals before using it for medicinal purposes.
Please note that MIROFOSS does not suggest in any way that plants should be used in place of proper medical and psychological care. This information is provided here as a reference only.
The young leaves and flower buds of Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia) are not only edible but also offer a variety of culinary uses. Both raw and cooked, the leaves have a mild flavor, making them a pleasant addition to mixed salads. Due to their subtle taste, they are often combined with stronger-flavored greens, such as those from the cabbage family, to create a more balanced dish. Beyond salads, the leaves also serve a functional role in cooking; when added to soups, they act as a natural thickener, much like okra, giving the broth a slightly more viscous texture.
The flowers of Woolly Blue Violet are equally versatile. When eaten raw, they have a delicate, mild flavor and are frequently used as an edible garnish, adding a pop of color to salads and other dishes. Rich in vitamin C, the flowers provide a nutritional boost and can also be made into sweet preserves such as jams or jellies, enhancing their usefulness beyond fresh consumption. Additionally, both the leaves and flowers can be steeped to create a fragrant, herbal tea, offering a soothing and nutritious beverage. With its edible and nutritional qualities, Woolly Blue Violet is a valuable plant that has long been appreciated for both its aesthetic and practical contributions to cuisine.
Please note that MIROFOSS can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the consumption of plant species which are found in the wild. This information is provided here as a reference only.
Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia) thrives in moist meadows and rich woodlands, where it benefits from nutrient-dense soils and consistent moisture. This adaptable plant is well-suited to a variety of soil types, including light sandy soils, medium loamy soils, and even heavier clay soils, as long as they are well-drained. While it prefers acidic to neutral soil conditions, it demonstrates a remarkable ability to grow in different pH levels, making it a resilient species in diverse environments.
In terms of light requirements, Woolly Blue Violet is highly versatile. It flourishes in semi-shaded areas, such as light woodlands, where it receives dappled sunlight, but it can also grow in open, unshaded locations. However, regardless of the lighting conditions, the plant has a strong preference for moist soil, which helps support its lush foliage and abundant blooms. Because of its adaptability and ease of growth, Woolly Blue Violet is commonly found in naturalized landscapes, shaded gardens, and wildflower meadows, where it provides both aesthetic beauty and ecological benefits.
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Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is a hardy perennial plant that typically grows between 7.5 and 20 centimeters tall, with soft, woolly-haired stems that give it a slightly fuzzy appearance. Its leaves are distinctively heart-shaped (cordate), ranging in size from 1 to 10 centimeters wide. The leaf margins are crenate, meaning they have small, rounded teeth along the edges, and they feature cross-venulate venation, with a network of veins branching across the surface. This foliage contributes to the plant’s lush, low-growing growth habit, making it a common sight in woodlands, meadows, and even suburban lawns.
The flowers of Woolly Blue Violet are bilaterally symmetrical and grow in small clusters on stalks that can reach between 5 and 15 centimeters in length. These blossoms display a range of colors, including deep blue, violet, lavender, or white, and are characterized by five distinct petals. Each flower measures approximately 18 to 25 millimeters in width and contains five stamens and five pistils. Following pollination, the plant produces a small, mottled green fruit capsule, which measures between 6 and 12 millimeters in length. Woolly Blue Violet is known for its prolific self-seeding ability, often spreading rapidly in lawns and gardens, where some may consider it a weed due to its persistence and tendency to colonize open spaces.
In addition to its showy flowers, Woolly Blue Violet also produces cleistogamous seed heads on short stems in late summer and early autumn. These self-pollinating flowers remain closed, ensuring seed production even when conditions are not favorable for traditional pollination. This reproductive strategy allows the plant to spread efficiently, further contributing to its reputation as a tenacious grower in both natural and cultivated landscapes.
| Plant Height | 7.5cm to 20cm |  |
| Habitat | Moist Meadows, Rich Woods | |
| Leaves | cordate 1cm to 10cm wide | |
| Leaf Margin | Crenate | |
| Leaf Venation | Cross-venulate | |
| Stems | Hairy stems | |
| Flowering Season | March to June | |
| Flower Type | Bilaterally Symmetrical | |
| Flower Colour | Blue, Violet, White | |
| Pollination | Bees | |
| Flower Gender | Flowers are hermaphrodite and the plants are self-fertile | |
| Fruit | small mottled green fruit capsule | |
| USDA Zone | 4A (-31°C to -34°C) cold weather limit |
No known health risks have been associated with woolly blue violet. However ingestion of naturally occurring plants without proper identification is not recommended.
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-Click here- or on the thumbnail image to see an artist rendering, from The United States Department of Agriculture, of woolly blue violet. (This image will open in a new browser tab) |
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-Click here- or on the thumbnail image to see a magnified view, from Go Botany, of the seeds created by woolly blue violet for propagation. (This image will open in a new browser tab) |
Woolly Blue Violet can be referenced in certain current and historical texts under the following seven names:
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| Dickinson, T.; Metsger, D.; Bull, J.; & Dickinson, R. (2004) ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto:McClelland and Stewart Ltd. | |
| Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR. | |
| Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979 ISBN 0-00-635555-2 | |
| MacKinnon, Kershaw, Arnason, Owen, Karst, Hamersley, Chambers. 2009. Edible & Medicinal Plants Of Canada ISBN 978-1-55105-572-5 |
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| USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. | |
| National Audubon Society. Field Guide To Wildflowers (Eastern Region): Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-375-40232-2 | |
| February 23, 2025 | The last time this page was updated |
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