Viola cucullata aka Blue Marsh Violet

Viola cucullata, commonly known as the hooded blue violet, marsh blue violet, or purple violet, is a low-growing perennial herbaceous plant native to eastern North America. It can be found from Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia. This species has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It forms a basal cluster of bright green, heart-shaped leaves with an entire margin and long petioles, reaching up to 10 cm in width. In late spring, solitary blue-violet flowers, occasionally white, with five petals and short spurs, emerge above the leaves. The fruit is a capsule that splits into three sections, releasing numerous small seeds upon maturity. Hooded blue violets thrive in wet meadows, prairies, and fields. As a houseplant, this rare species known as the Hooded Blue Violet requires regular watering and thrives in long-lasting, direct light within one foot of a window. It prefers well-draining soil and does not typically require additional fertilizers if repotted when it doubles in size. Belonging to the Viola genus and native to North America, the Hooded Blue Violet is an easy-to-grow plant for enthusiasts.