Small White Violet

(Viola macloskeyi)

Small White Violet (Viola macloskeyi)

Clinton Little

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Clinton Little

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Clinton Little | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: Flickr upload bot | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Small_White_Violet.jpg | Notes: =={{int:filedesc}}== {{Information |Description={{en|1=''[[:en:Viola rostrata|Viola rostrata]]'', sandstone rockhouses around Nada Tunnel. [[:en:Powell County, Kentucky|Powell County, Kentucky]].}} |Source={{own}} |Date=22 April 2010 |Author=Mason Broc... |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Viola macloskeyi, commonly known as Small White Violet, is a deciduous perennial herb native to moist meadows, swamps, and cool, shaded forest floors across Eastern North America, Western Canada, and the Pacific Northwest. It typically grows to a modest height of 0.2-0.3 feet (0.06-0.09 meters) and can spread to about 1 foot (0.3 meters) wide. The plant features heart-shaped leaves and delicate white flowers with purple-tinged backs, which bloom in the spring and are subtly fragrant.

Small White Violet is valued for its low-growing, ground-covering habit and charming flowers, making it suitable for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas. It is also appreciated for its ability to thrive in moist, shady conditions where other plants may struggle. This violet prefers consistently moist, humus-rich soil and benefits from mulching to maintain soil moisture. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to leaf spots and rust. It is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a gentle addition to diverse plantings.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.2-0.3 feet
Width: 0.667-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
Water: High
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant

Natural Habitat

Moist meadows, swamps, and cool, shaded forest floors

Other Names

Common Names: Northern White Violet, Smooth White Violet, Wild White Violet, Sweet White Violet, Western Sweet Violet, Western Sweet-White Violet, Violette De Macloskey, Macloskey’s Violet

Scientific Names: , Viola macloskeyi, Viola pallens, Viola macloskeyi subsp. pallens, Viola macloskeyi var. pallens, Viola macloskeyi subsp. macloskeyi, Viola pallens var. subreptans, Viola macloskeyi var. macloskeyi, Viola pallens subsp. macloskeyi, Viola pallens subsp. pallens

GBIF Accepted Name: Viola macloskeyi F.E.Lloyd