Violet, the state flower of Rhode Island

How to recognize it

The common blue violet is a low perennial, about 1 to 10 inches tall, with no leafy stem; its leaves and flowers rise straight from the base. The leaves are heart-shaped at the base and toothed, usually hairy on both sides. The flowers have five petals, usually medium to dark violet with darker veins running out from the center, though blue, purple and white forms occur. The side petals and the lower petal, which has a spur, are bearded with hairs.

It blooms in spring. Later in summer it also makes small flowers that never open but still set seed. The species varies a great deal from place to place, so it is not always easy to tell from other blue violets.

Where it grows

The common blue violet is native across the lower 48 states and Canada, and it grows in all six New England states, Rhode Island included. It turns up in woods and woodland edges, fields, clearings, riverbanks, roadsides and lawns, in both wet and dry places.

Where to see it

In spring, look along woodland edges, in clearings and on roadsides. You may not have to look far: it is common in ordinary lawns, where it can spread like a weed.

Small but busy

The violet supports a lot of life. Ants carry off its seeds for their fatty attachments and so help spread the plant. It is a host plant for the caterpillars of fritillary butterflies, and it draws bees, including specialist mining bees. The young leaves and the flowers are eaten in salads.

Seventy years to make it official

Rhode Island’s schoolchildren picked the violet as the state flower in a vote announced on Arbor Day 1897. The Legislature did not act until March 11, 1968, and the state says that made Rhode Island the last state to adopt an official flower. New Jersey and Wisconsin have chosen violets too.