Common Blue Violet is the most familiar violet of lawns and forest edges across eastern North America, producing purple-blue flowers in spring. It is the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Like all violets, it is the larval host plant for all North American fritillary butterflies, including the great spangled fritillary.
Best time to see a Common Blue Violet
The best time to see a Common Blue Violet is March–April, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,666 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Common Blue Violet? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Common Blue Violet sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Common Blue Violet?
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