Viola lanceolata aka Bog White Violet

Viola lanceolata is a small plant that lives for years. It belongs to the violet family, Violaceae. Its names include lance-leaved violet and eastern water violet. It grows wild in eastern Canada. Its native range also spans the central and eastern United States. It grows in bogs, swamps, wet meadows, and seepage slopes. In North Carolina, it grows along the Coastal Plain. It lives on wet ground in regions with temperate climates.

Plants stand about 0.17–0.5 feet [0.05–0.15 metres] tall and wide. The leaves form an upright rosette at ground level. Each plant has two to six narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Leaves reach 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] long. Their upper sides are medium green, with few or no hairs. The paler undersides may have a few hairs. Leaf and flower stalks are smooth and reddish. The leaves die back each year. Stems called stolons link plants and can form small groups.

White flowers rise above the leaves in late spring. They bloom into early summer. The main show lasts about three weeks. Each flower has five petals and a slightly uneven shape. Pale yellow marks the base of the petals. Red-purple lines on the lower petal guide insects toward nectar. The side petals lack hairs and may show faint veins. Flower stalks range from green to reddish purple. Some flowers nod, and the blooms have a scent. Later in summer, small cleistogamous flowers form. These flowers self-fertilise and do not open. Pale green seed pods, called capsules, follow the flowers. They split into three parts and scatter small, dark brown seeds.

Grow this violet in acid soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil moist; the plant also copes with standing water. Deep shade, dappled light, and part shade suit it. Dry sites do not meet its needs. NC State lists USDA zones 6a–10b. It says the plant needs little care. The plant grows at a moderate rate. Growers can raise plants from seed or divide them.

Its small size suits borders and use as groundcover. It also suits damp, shaded gardens and rain gardens. Growers can use it in plantings that mimic wild growth. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers for nectar. Fritillary caterpillars feed on the plant. Deer tend to leave it alone. NC State reports no major insect or disease concerns. Its page also names southern blight as a possible disease. The supplied sources give no guidance specific to this species on safe use as food or risk of poisoning.