Pronounced (approximate): vy-OH-luh lan-see-oh-LAY-tuh
A small white violet with slender basal leaves and purple lines leading into the flower throat.
Lance-leaved Violet (Viola lanceolata): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Violaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms Late spring–early summer
Height 2 to 6 inches
Habitat Wet sandy ground, peaty shores and open wetland margins
Common names: Lance-leaved Violet · Lanceleaf Violet
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Wet sandy ground, peaty shores and open wetland margins. Flowering season: Late spring–early summer.
Small white violets with rounded or heart-shaped leaves require a different identification. Check the violet’s own leaves among surrounding grasses and other plants.
Basal leaves are narrow and lance-shaped.
White flowers have purple veins, especially on the lower petal.
Flower stalks rise separately from the basal foliage; petals are generally beardless. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
3 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to eastern Canada and central and eastern United States; introduced in some western areas.
Reported U.S. distribution
AR, CT, DE, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Lance-leaved Violet in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.