Lance-leafed Violet
Ohio Prairie Plant Species
Common Name: Lance-leafed Violet
Latin Name: Viola lanceolata [Pronounced: "vee-OH-la lance-ee-oh-LATE-ah"]
Type of Plant: Perennial Forb
Identification Helps: A small white violet with lance-like leaves.
Similar Species: This is the only white violet with lance-like leaves.
Preferred Growing Conditions in the Wild: Found in wet prairies, in moist soil.
Preferred Soils: Grows in moist wet prairie and bog soils.
Seasons of Growth and Bloom: Blooms in April and May.
Natural Distribution in Ohio: Found in Lake Plain wet prairies (northern Ohio) and a few wet sites in six south-central and south-west Ohio counties.
Description and General Information: This delightful little violet can be easily overlooked. It abounds in many wet prairies in northern Ohio, and at a few other wet prairies in south central Ohio. But it is not found in the Darby Plains prairies west of Columbus, nor on the Sandusky Plains prairies of north central Ohio.
The species is also known as Bog White Violet, as it appears in bog soils in other states.
The plant is listed as a Potentially Threatened Species by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.