When looking for some interesting information about a subject, I sometimes find better words than mine. In this case I received a Facebook notification which was quite timely. The following is from the University of South Carolina Southern Piedmont Natural History Facebook page.
"Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia var. sororia) are a familiar sight this time of year. Also called Dooryard Violets and Wooly Blue Violets, they’re native to the eastern and central US and show up in yards, disturbed areas, and bottomland forests. Some people also plant them as a ground cover in woodland gardens.
These violets bloom from February to May, when small bees and flies occasionally visit them as a nectar source. However, most seed production doesn’t come from pollinators, but from small, self-pollinating (cleistogamous) flowers produced in summer. These self-pollinating flowers appear at ground level and the flowers don’t even open!
The caterpillars of several species of fritillary butterflies feed on the heart-shaped leaves. People eat them too. The young leaves and petals can be placed in salads or candied. As always, though, you must be 100% confident in your identification before eating any wild plant."
The common Blue violet can monopolize a yard or forested landscape at times, bringing joy to many that pass by.
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