Field pansy is a native annual wildflower in the violet family (Violaceae) found throughout much of North America and is a winter annual weed. It forms colonies in fields, along roadsides and other disturbed sites such as prairies, pastures and other waste areas. The epithet honors the eccentric autodidact, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque (1783–1840). It is most abundant in sandy soils. It prefers full sun in moist, sandy soil but adapts to other soils and part shade. It tolerates light foot traffic and can be used as a lawn alternative. The flower is solitary, rising from the leaf axils on the stalks. It has 5 dark veined petals, with the lateral petals bearded and the lower one will have a yellow patch at its base. The petals are typically pale blue; however, they can also be white with a slight blue tint. This is the only annual in the Violet species that produces cleistogamous flowers. A distinguishing feature of this viola is the length of the sepals. Its petals are longer than the sepals, whereas other violets have petals that are shorter than the sepals. Although considered weedy, this little plant attracts wildlife and is an early spring nectar source for bees. Field pansy can be planted in home landscapes, however, ir has a weedy nature making it a poor choice or the perennial garden. Best planted in large areas such as a meadow where it is free to spread. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases . NC State Extension has a publication on the control of Field pansy as a weed of turfgrass. 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.
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
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Obovate; Orbicular
Leaf margin
Crenate; Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Small, veined basal leaves are orbicular. The alternate stem leaves are up to 2 inches long and obovate, becoming narrower as they go up the stem. They are hairless with crenate to entire margins. The leaves grow in clusters on the stem. Out of these clusters grow 1 or 2 leafless stems with a single blossom at the end.
Flower color
Blue; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Lipped; Radial
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The ½" solitary blooms have 5 petals and 5 sepals. The petals are pale to medium blue-violet with dark purple lines. The lowermost petal has a patch of yellow near its base. The lateral petals are bearded with white hairs near the throat.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Oblong capsules split to eject small rounded light brown seeds.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
The stems are light green to purplish green and hairless
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
AL , AR , AZ , CO , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV
Wildlife value
This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Bees visit the flowers and caterpillars of fritillary butterflies will feed on the foliage.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow; Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Leaves and flowers are edible.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Native Americans used the plant for food and made teas to treat various ailments