Southern Wood Violet Notebook

Viola hirsutula Southern Wood Violet United States native plant Violets are one of the earliest spring wildflowers in the southern Appalachians. The earliest species begin blooming on the Cumberland Plateau with the first rumours of spring, usually at the end of February. Viola hirsutula, the southern wood violet, is in full flower from March until May and will throw an occasional blossom during the summer if the weather is favourable. Flowers are blue-purple to reddish purple and may rarely be variegated with white. Foliage is not evenly coloured but the effect may be subtle and ranges from slightly darker green veining to striking purple veined forms. Leaves are noticeably hairy. Does not go dormant during summer unless conditions are unusually dry. Forms natural hybrids with other Viola species, plants growing in areas bordering varied types of habitat may have complex ancestries.