Pronounced (approximate): vy-OH-luh mih-NUS-kyoo-luh
A small native perennial with white flowers and rounded, heart-based leaves. These field photographs are included as Viola minuscula following the photographer’s confirmation.
Northern White Violet (Viola minuscula): white flowers and basal foliage. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Violaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms Spring–early summer
Height 2 to 8 inches
Habitat Moist to wet woods, swamps, bogs, fens, sedge meadows and shores
Common names: Northern White Violet · Smooth White Violet · Small White Violet
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Moist to wet woods, swamps, bogs, fens, sedge meadows and shores. Flowering season: Spring–early summer.
Kidney-leaved Violet generally has broader leaves and lacks runners. Sweet White Violet usually has hairier foliage and more noticeably bearded flowers. Older regional references may list Northern White Violet under Viola macloskeyi var. pallens.
White flowers have purple lines on the lower petal; side petals are usually hairless or only sparsely bearded.
Leaves arise at the base, with rounded to egg-shaped blades, heart-shaped bases and shallow teeth.
Leaf surfaces are hairless; leafy runners can form new plantlets during summer. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
4 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native across much of Canada and the United States, and in the Dominican Republic.
Reported U.S. distribution
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
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 Northern White Violet in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.