The common blue violet is a smooth low plant; stemless, its flowers and leaves are on separate stalks growing directly from the root. The flowers (.5"-.75") are blue to white, or white with purple veins. They have 5 petals, the lower one longer and spurred, the two lateral ones are bearded. Leaves are heart-shaped with scalloped margins. Overall height of the plant, three to eight inches. Blooms through to June. The common blue violet prefers damp woods and moist meadows.
Violet leaves, we see from Audubon, are high in vitamins A and C and can be used in salads or cooked as greens.
The Blue Violet, incidentally, is the floral emblem of the province of New Brunswick.
