Table of Contents for Sand Violet (Viola affinis)
Sand Violet (Viola affinis) is a herbaceous perennial that is found from the mid-west to the eastern United States and adjacent southern Canada. This plant is a host plant to fritillaries and a number of bees. These violets are acaulescent (lack a stem) and have light purple flowers with a large white striped center. They can be found growing in wet floodplains, shaded wooded slopes, and in open areas.
Taxonomic History of Sand Violet (Viola affinis)
Taxonomy
Sand Violet (Viola affinis) was named and described by James Eatton Le Conte, an American botanist, in 1828. It has kept this name since, but has at some point been considered a subspecies or variety of Viola sororia. Whether a distinct species or not, this species can hybridize with the other making it difficult to identify. This plant is a member of the Violet Family (Violaceae).
Sand Violet Description and Alternative Names
Description
Sand Violet is a herbaceous perennial that has a basal stem (acaulescent) and grows in 6 to 8 inch wide clumps on the ground. The alternate, simple, coarsely toothed leaves range from 3 to 6 inches in length and width.
The flowers are can be nearly white, blue to light to dark purple and have a large white center that has dark purple veins. It blooms in the spring around April to May. Like other violets, this species, has two flowers, one underground (Cleistogamous) and one above ground (Chasmogamous). The seeds are dispersed by ants in a process called myrmecochory, where the ants get a fat globule and in return the seeds get dispersed.
Alternative Names
This plant is also called Le Conte’s Violet, Leconte’s Violet, Pale Early Violet, Thinleaf Violet, and Small Blue Violet.
Range and Habitat
Insects and Other Wildlife it Supports
Host Species
Violets (Viola spp.) are hosts to a number of fritillary butterflies. Sand Violet is not a host to specific species, but most fritillaries will use it.
Other Wildlife Value
Violets (Viola spp.) are important nectar plants for bees and other insects.
Interesting Facts
The genus name, Viola, is from the Latin name for “sweet-scented flowers.” (Missouri Botanical Garden). It is also known as a symbol of love (Wikipedia). The species name, affinis, means allied or related in Latin, referring to its similarity to other violets (alabamaplants.com).