Viola cucullata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Violaceae |
Genus: | Viola |
Species: | V. cucullata
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Binomial name | |
Viola cucullata |
Viola cucullata, the hooded blue violet, marsh blue violet or purple violet, is a species of the genus Viola native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia.[1] It is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
The purple violet is a low-growing perennial herbaceous plant up to 20 cm (8 in) tall. The leaves form a basal cluster; they are simple, up to 10 cm (4 in) broad, with an entire margin and a long petiole. The flowers are violet, dark blue and occasionally white. with five petals. The fruit is a capsule 10–15 mm (3⁄8–5⁄8 in) long, which splits into three sections at maturity to release the numerous small seeds.[3] Its habitats include wet meadows, prairies, and fields.[4]
The purple violet is the provincial flower of New Brunswick.[5]
The purple violet is the official flower of the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma.[6]
The purple violet is also one of the official flowers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.[citation needed]