NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Viola cucullata

Bog Violet, Marsh Blue Violet

Scientific Name:	Viola cucullata
Genus:	Viola
Species Epithet:	cucullata
Common Name:	Bog Violet, Marsh Blue Violet
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Violaceae (Violet Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	0-1 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Blue, Purple
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Wet
Bloom Time:	April, May, June
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Bogs, seeps, margins of spring branches. Common in NC Mountains, uncommon in Piedmont, rare in Coastal Plain.
Leaf Arrangement:	Basal
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Recommended and Available
State Rank:	S4: Apparently secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	Common in Mountains, somewhat uncommon in Piedmont, rare in sandhills and coastal
In bloom Blue Marsh Violet is very similar to the Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) but the habitats are quite different. As the common name shows, Blue Marsh Violet grows in very wet soil (bogs, seeps) while the Common Blue Violet grows in bottomlands, moist woods and lawns. Paynter, mountain bog, May 2012
Close-up of flower Marsh Blue Violet has distinctive flowers that help in identification. The two lower, outer petals have hairs that are clubbed (distinctly wider at the top.) Click to enlarge. Paynter, mountain bog
The light blue-violet flowers are darker violet in the center; nearly all other blue violets are white or paler in the throat. The two lateral petals are bearded, and the lower petal is generally smaller than others. Macon County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Flora of North America NC State Extension