Canada Violet is a tall native woodland violet with white flowers tinged purple on the back, blooming in May in rich deciduous and mixed forests. Like all violets, it is the exclusive larval host plant for fritillary butterflies. It reproduces abundantly through cleistogamous (closed, self-fertilizing) flowers that develop in summer beneath the plant.
Best time to see a Canada Violet
The best time to see a Canada Violet is April–May, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 12,734 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Canada Violet? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Canada Violet sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Canada Violet?
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