LeavesAlternate, heart-shaped, 5-9 cm long, 6-12 cm wide, margins finely toothed, apex pointed, hairy; stipules lance-shaped, 1-2 cm long, entire or fringedFlowersInflorescene solitary; flowers bilaterally symmetric; sepals 5, lance-shaped, 4-9 mm long hairy; petals 5, unequal, 8-15 mm long, white to violet, yellow at base; upper petals 2; lower petals 3, purple stripes, lateral pair bearded; stamens 5, surround ovary, filament pale green, anther green; pistils 1, ovary superiorFruits and SeedsCapsule, egg-shaped, 3-valved, 5-10 mm long, somewhat hairy, 15 seeds; seeds brown, roundish, 1.6-2.2 mm, cottony hairs on body and ridge
Scientific NameViola canadensis L.
Common Name
Canada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violet
General Description
Perennial herb, 10-40 cm tall, tan rhizomes
Leaves
Alternate, heart-shaped, 5-9 cm long, 6-12 cm wide, margins finely toothed, apex pointed, hairy; stipules lance-shaped, 1-2 cm long, entire or fringed
Flowers
Inflorescene solitary; flowers bilaterally symmetric; sepals 5, lance-shaped, 4-9 mm long hairy; petals 5, unequal, 8-15 mm long, white to violet, yellow at base; upper petals 2; lower petals 3, purple stripes, lateral…
Inflorescene solitary; flowers bilaterally symmetric; sepals 5, lance-shaped, 4-9 mm long hairy; petals 5, unequal, 8-15 mm long, white to violet, yellow at base; upper petals 2; lower petals 3, purple stripes, lateral pair bearded; stamens 5, surround ovary, filament pale green, anther green; pistils 1, ovary superior
Fruits and Seeds
Capsule, egg-shaped, 3-valved, 5-10 mm long, somewhat hairy, 15 seeds; seeds brown, roundish, 1.6-2.2 mm, cottony hairs on body and ridge
Phenology
Flowers May to August
Notes
Medical Uses:
Canada violet was used in traditional medicine owing to methyl salicylate. A tea made from the roots was used in the treatment of pain in the bladder region. The roots and leaves have traditionally been…
Medical Uses:
Canada violet was used in traditional medicine owing to methyl salicylate. A tea made from the roots was used in the treatment of pain in the bladder region. The roots and leaves have traditionally been used to induce vomiting, they have also been poulticed and applied to skin abrasions and boils.
Ethno-botanical uses:
The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw in salads, used as potherbs or thickeners, or made into tea. The flowers can be used as a garnish (fresh or candied) or as a flavoring and coloring in vinegar, jelly and syrup. Having a very mild flavor, when boiled as greens, the leaves of westerm Canada violet are best mixed with other stronger tasting leaves. However, the rhizomes, fruits and seeds are poisonous. Ingestion may cause stomach and intestinal upset. It may also cause nervousness and respiratory and cirulatory depression.
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Throughout all of Alberta
CAN (BC, MB, NB, NS, NT, ON, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA,…
Alberta: Throughout all of Alberta
CAN (BC, MB, NB, NS, NT, ON, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY)
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Citation
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Page Citation for Viola canadensis L.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Viola canadensis L., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-5464/12-72106. Accessed 05 Oct. 2024.
Specimen Information
There are 48 specimens of this Species.
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34 results plotted on map in 28 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Glen ElginDate Collected1954-05-28
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Lincoln CountyDate Collected1897-05-29
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Middlesex CountyDate Collected1914-07-31
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Lake Huron, Great Duck IslandDate Collected1959-06-26
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Quebec, Lac MoffattDate Collected1974-06-07
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo JumpDate Collected1982-06-08
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Porcupine HillsDate Collected1982-06-22
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton, University of AlbertaDate Collected1979-07-03
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: United States, Idaho, Bonneville County, Swan ValleyDate Collected1991-07-16
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: United States, Colorado, Garfield County, Glenwood SpringsDate Collected1990-06-04
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: United States, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Timon CampgroundDate Collected1985-07-15
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Setaspell OutpostDate Collected2017-06-01
Common NameCanada violet; Canadian white violet; Western Canada violetPlace CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jackson LakeDate Collected2016-06-15