Field Pansy

(Viola bicolor)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Field Pansy (Viola bicolor Pursh)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Leaves and flowers located on the same stalk. Flowers either white or light blue, very flat, not looking very much like a violet. Stipules several, large, lobed, and arranged in a ring about the stem. Leaves spoon-shaped, tapering at the base into the petiole.

Distribution: Iowa to southern New England, southward to Florida and Texas. Also occurs in the central and southwestern United States.

Habitat: Field Pansy is an attractive weed found along roadsides, fields, and streambanks.

Flowering period: April to May.

Similar Species: The flat appearance of the flowers and the ring of large, lobed stipules are characteristic for the Field Pansy.

Comments: The scientific name Viola kitaibelliana has been used for this species in the past.

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