← Bedfellow

Arrowleaf Violet

Viola sagittata

Arrowleaf violet is a sun-tolerant violet of open woods, fields, and barrens, with arrow-shaped leaves and rich violet flowers. A larval host for fritillaries. Young leaves and flower buds are edible raw or cooked, thickening soups much like okra; a tea can be made from the leaves.

Family

Violaceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

0–0.6 ft

Spacing

0.5–1 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

April, May, June

Bloom colors

blue, purple

Wildlife value

pollinators, butterflies, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~29 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

groundcover, container, erosion control, naturalizing

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV