Wild white violet is an herbaceous perennial wildflower found in forests, wetlands, along wet banks and in meadows of North America. It is a member of the violet family (Violaceae) and was named in 1895 in honor of George Macloskey, a professor of biology at what is now Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. The wild white violet is broadly adaptable to sites in deep shade to dappled sunlight, as long as the sites are generally moist. It will thrive on neutral, humus- or loam-rich soils. The leaves are broadly heart-shaped. The single flowers rise on slender, hairless, green or reddish stalks that rise above the leaves. The uppermost two petals are usually angled backward. The lowest projects forwards and forms a spur at the rear. The remaining two petals that project sideways have a few hairs near their bases. Dark purple lines (nectar guides) mark the lower three petals. Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Butterflies, such as the Fritillary ( Boloria bellona ) , and moths use this plant as a larval host. There is some taxonomic disagreement about the application of the name V. macloskey . Some botanists restrict its application to a western North American species and call our eastern species V. miniscula . Other botanists recognize both species as occurring throughout North America. Growing and spreading from stolons that root at the nodes, wild white violet makes an excellent ground cover. It is suitable for shade, native, butterfly, pollinator, or rain gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. More information on Viola .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Horizontal; Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate; Reniform
Leaf margin
Crenulate; Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Heart-shaped basal leaves rise directly from the root on smooth stems that are longer than the leaf.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The 1/2", solitary flower is white with the bottom petal larger and having purple stripes. Flowers have a sweet fragrance. Blooms from May-August. In North Carolina, blooms from April to May.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
In North Carolina, fruits are available from May to June. The green capsules split in three sections to release small, light brown to black seeds.
Stem detail
Stemless.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Subartic to Canada and U.S.A.
Distribution
AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Wildlife value
This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host.
Attracts
Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds