Illinois State Flower

Native Violet (common name)
Viola sororia (scientific name)

Overview

In 1908, the native violet became the official state flower of Illinois. No variety was specified in the law, but Viola sororia is the violet indigenous to Illinois, so it’s normally considered the correct choice.Viola sororia grows from rhizomes. Early in spring, the green, heart-shaped leaves emerge, one leaf per stem, usually growing in a circle. Later, buds form on separate stems that rise above the leaves. The flowers have five petals. Two petals point upwards, more or less next to each other. Two extend outwards, one on each side. The bottom petal points downward. Flowers are almost always purple with white to yellow mottled centers, though all white flowers sometimes occur in the wild.

The violet’s bottommost petal allows insects, including some types of pollinating bees and flies, to visit the flowers comfortably. These flowers aren’t the plant’s main source of seeds, though. Later in the summer, the violets produce flowers that don’t open and remain hidden under the plant’s leaves. They pollinate themselves and later scatter the seeds, from which new plants can grow. Violets can also spread through their rhizomes. When conditions are favorable, plants can cover the ground, each forming a mat up to 50 cm wide. Most violets grow in the woods in places where there is plenty of moisture and at least some shade.

Close-up

STATUS

Official

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Duration: Perennial
Plant: Rosette of smooth, scalloped-edged leaves; thin, straight, unbranched stems
Mature Height: 4 in (10 cm)
Flowering: March-June
Flowers: .75 in (2 cm) wide, 5 petals, yellow or white freckled center
Flower Color: Purple
Leaves: 1.2 in (3 cm wide), heart-shaped, mid-green, deeply veined
Fruit/Seed Color: Brown

HABITAT

Location: Any partly shaded, slightly moist location.
Range: Eastern and central U.S. and into Canada, westward through North Dakota and south through Texas.

TRIVIA

• Though many types of violets are fragrant, Viola sororia has no scent. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, however, and can be used in salads or to decorate desserts. 
• In the wild, rabbits and deer sometimes eat the plants. Many woodland birds like to feed on the seeds, and wild turkeys will dig up the plants to get at the roots.

Click to enlarge an image

Native Violet

Field of Native Violet

Close-up of Native Violet Flower

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:	Plantae
Subkingdom:	Tracheobionta
Superdivision:	Spermatophyta
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Subclass:	Rosidae
Order:	Violales
Family:	Violaceae
Genus:	Viola
Species:	V. sororia

Author: World Trade Press