Lance-leaved Violet is a small, bog-adapted native violet with distinctively narrow, lance-shaped leaves and small white flowers veined with purple. Found in wet, acidic soils across eastern North America, it is one of the few violets adapted to extremely wet, boggy habitats. Despite its diminutive size, it plays an important role as a larval host plant for fritillary butterflies, which are not deterred by the small leaf size. It spreads by runners to form patches in suitable wetland habitats.
Best time to see a Lance-leaved Violet
The best time to see a Lance-leaved Violet is March–May, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,855 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Lance-leaved Violet sightings near you
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