Canadian White Violet

Viola canadensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Violaceae
Genus:
Viola
Species:
Viola canadensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
2-3 ft
Light Requirements:
Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
White, Yellow
Lawn Substitute:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Bee Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Atlantis fritillary (Speyeria atlantis), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage preferred
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers shaded woodland environments

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Mix the seeds with an equal amount of moist perlite or vermiculite. Put mixture into a sealed container and proceed with at least three months of moist cold stratification in a cool dry place. Cold store until planted (up to 3 years).

Establishment: Seed capsules are explosive and seed is difficult to collect. Seed is collected by hand from locally native plants within the eastern central Upper Peninsula. Flowers from June through August. Seed is harvested from August to October. Seeds in a capsule. The plant prefers deciduous woods in partial to full shade. Soil should be neutral to slightly acidic with abundant humus and average moisture.

Source: npn.rngr.net