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= Viola sororia = Viola sororia Willd. is the accepted name of this species in the genus Viola (family Violaceae). This perennial plant species is distributed in the eastern half of the United States, Canada and a part of Eastern Mexico. Their native habitats are rich, moist woods, and swamps located in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Because Viola sororia is also a weed, it may become troublesome in fertile and moist locations. Viola sororia, also known as a woolly blue violet, is a violet species that is a part of the Viola genus, which includes over 600 species and is in the Violaceae family (Violet Family). There are several different names that this species may be known by, such as, Confederate Violet, Hooded Violet, Meadow Violet, Purple Violet, Violet, Wild Blue Violet, Wood Violet, or Wooly Blue Violet. Because of its bright colors and variety, it has been used as a state flower in many states.

Phonetic Pronunciation
The most common way to pronounce Viola sororia is "vy-OH-la so-ROR-ee-uh"

Description
Viola sororia is a short-stemmed, herbaceous perennial plant that grows in well-drained and shady habitats. This 6-10Inch wide violet has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and are topped with purple flowers with white throats. The lower three petals are hairy and the stem of the flower droops slightly. These flowers can be found in the woods, thickets, and near streambeds. This plant species can live and reproduce for over more than 10 years. Blooming in the Spring-Summer, or the months of April-August, the Viola sororia can be found in colors of white, blue, or even purple.

History
Viola sororia originated in the eastern and central parts of North America, and are commonly found in the United States. They are known to survive in both shaded and sunlit environments, which means their habitats range from open fields, to shaded forests.

Taxonomy
Viola sororia comes in a few different sizes, patterns, and colors. It is a low-growing (4-8" tall) perennial, that is also extremely adaptable, especially to foot traffic and lawn-mowing. The purple or blue flowers have yellow and white highlights in their throats; however, the white form of this flower (V. sororia priceana) has white flowers with purple highlights on its throat. There are also a few hybrids of this species such as Viola Sororia Willd, Viola affinis x Viola sororia, Viola brittoniana x Viola sororia, Viola cucullata x Viola sororia, and Viola nephrophylla x Viola sororia.

Distribution and Habitat
Viola sororia are primarily found in forests and are interfertile, meaning they are likely and able to breed with other closely related species. The species grows on the forest floor and environment can adapt to sunny or partly shady conditions. The leaves on the Viola sororia develop in the early spring when the surrounding tree crowns are not fully closed. However, when the canopy closes, the leaves continue to grow and develop. Typically the soil needs to be moist and rich, and well drained.

Toxicity
Viola Sororia leaves and flowers are edible in moderation and also safe to plant around pets.

Ecology
Native bees such as the Mason Bees, Halictid Bees, and the most common, the Mining Bee, visit the Viola sororia plant for its nectar in the spring time. Butterflies are also known to pollinate from this species. These pollinated flowers result in a normal seed distribution like most flowering plants; however, Viola sororia produce seeds in the late summer from a process called cleistogamy. This means that it self-fertilizes inside the plant, without opening. The seed capsules eventually turn upright, opens, and shoots out their seeds as far as 9 feet away from the plant.

Violets also employ myrmecochory, which is the process of the seeds being dispersed by ants. The seeds are coated with protein- and lipid-rich morsels, also known as elaiosomes, and they attract ants. The ants then gather the seeds and bring them back to their nests. When the coating is consumed by the ants, it is discarded into their waste piles, which is actually just planting the seeds. Although they have no known toxicities, when it comes to fire ecology, they are not fire resistant, and their fire tolerance is low. They have no serious insect or disease problems and their foliage usually declines in hot summers.

A term known as myrmecochory, which is a form of mutualism between the Viola sororia plant species and a certain ant species. The diaspore have elaiosomes that attract ants and lead to the dispersal of the diaspores. The appendages are nutrient-rich, which induces some ant species to carry the diaspores from the plant, back to their nest. The elaiosome is consumed and the germinable seed is discarded. Ants can increase the dispersal distance by moving diaspore away from the parent plant, move them from other competitors and predators, and relocate them to favorable sites for germination. Within the ant nest, seeds may be protected from fire and seed predators, which is beneficial for the Viola sororia plant, considering they are not fire resistant.

History and Culture
The genus, Violaceae, is known as a symbol of love and modesty by individuals from Sappho to Shakespeare to Christina Rossetti. In the 1930s, a Broadway play featured a lesbian character that won over the lady she was in love with, with violets. This inspired a violet fad and was the reason why violets may also be known as "the lesbian flower". This Genus name also comes from the Latin name for various sweet-scented flowers.

Lawn Weed
Viola sororia is known as a wild violet that may be hard to control due to its invasive nature. Halauxifenmethyl, has shown promising results on hard-to-control weeds, including Viola sororia.

Uses
Viola sororia can also be used to decorate walkways and park areas. It is used as a wildflower in lawns, though some consider Viola sororia a weed, which is environmentally beneficial for removing pollution and being a resource for pollinators. They are also very high in vitamins A and C, which means they can be used in salads, cooked as greens, or even made into candies and jellies. The young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked, or brewed for a tea. Viola sororia may also work as an anti-inflammatory and used topically for skin conditions. Viola sororia is deer resistant.