3 minute read
Nature's Canvas
The allure and importance of Wisconsin’s state flower
Andrea Zani
Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
As the grass greens up every spring, you might start to notice patches of purple painting the landscape, especially in the moist soils of shaded forests and woodlands. These lovely bursts of color are the humble wood violet, a common native Wisconsin plant and the official state flower.
Blooming throughout spring and sometimes again in fall, the perennial wood violet has been around for centuries. The plant is so profuse it often just appears — everywhere from state trails to local parks to the backyards of Wisconsin.
“I’ve never known of anyone intentionally planting it,” said Amy Staffen, DNR conservation biologist and plant expert. “It just shows up.”
Not many nurseries sell it, she added, though she knows of at least one that does.
Check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1391 for more about native plants and nurseries that sell them.
The plant’s prolific nature is likely attributed to the many ways it reproduces. It can cross-pollinate, self-pollinate, spread rhizomes and explode seeds long distances. What’s more, DNR botanist Jessica Ross added, wood violet seeds can be dispersed by ants.
“The plants produce a fleshy, nutrient-rich structure on the seeds, called elaiosomes, which the ants eat and leave the seed behind,” Ross said.
GOOD FOR POLLINATORS
In 1909, Wisconsin schoolchildren voted to select the wood violet as the state flower, choosing it over the wild rose, trailing arbutus and white water lily. It’s also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Alternatively called the common blue violet, its biological classification is Viola sororia or sometimes Viola papilionacea. Plants grow about 4 inches tall, with a spread of 8 inches.
Though small, wood violets brighten an early spring garden. And flowering before much else is up, they play an important role for pollinators.
NOT JUST A PRETTY FLOWER
In addition to helping bees and butterflies, wood violets can serve as food for rabbits, deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife. The plant also can be consumed by people.
Medicinal uses of wood violets have been recorded historically. The Indigenous Peoples’ Perspective Project from Maryland’s Adkins Arboretum cites the historic usage of violets in treating coughs, indigestion, joint pain, headaches and other symptoms. Of course, should you be interested in learning more or trying it yourself, it’s recommended to talk with a doctor first.
Today, it can be found in a variety of preparations in the kitchen.
“Young leaves can be eaten raw, and older leaves can be cooked like spinach,” Ross said, reminding gardeners to be sure no chemicals have been sprayed in the area before consuming.
“The flowers are also edible, and people often make syrup or jelly with them,” she added. “One fun thing about infusions with the flowers is that they’ll change color from blueish to bright pink when you add something acidic to them — think color-changing lemonade.”
