Wild Violet

Weeds

common blue violet, meadow violet, hooded blue violet

Viola papilionacea

Photos

wild violet5.jpg

Wild violet is a low-growing clumping (simple) perennial with a dense, fibrous root system and heart-shaped leaves that often cup toward the petiole to form a funnel shape. Wild violet is often considered difficult-to-control due to its aggressive growth, waxy leaves and resistance to most common herbicides.

Wild violet is most often found in shaded, fertile sites and prefers moist soils.

Flowers occurs in mid-May; usually violet colored, but can vary from deep-blue-violet to completely white. Plants spread by rhizomes and seed.

  • Crops Affected: turf

    Management

    Wild violet will colonize shaded, well fertilized, moist areas and can easily out-compete cool-season turf under these conditions. Wild violet often invades lawns from adjacent wooded areas. It is very common to have violet colonize yards in new subdivisions that were recently converted from woods. Wild violet will also grow very well in flower beds and mulched areas. Hand digging of small clumps can be very effective if the entire root system is removed.

    Similar Species

    Wild violets are very similar to other violet species like dooryard and English violets. Field pansy and field violets are winter annuals that can easily be confused with wild violet.

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