About Viola canadensis L.
Viola canadensis L. is a flowering plant in the Violaceae family, commonly called Canadian white violet, Canada violet, tall white violet, or white violet. It is widespread across most of Canada and the United States, ranging from Alaska to Newfoundland, and extending south as far as Georgia and Arizona. It is a perennial herb, and its Latin specific epithet canadensis translates to "of Canada". This species produces white flowers with yellow bases, and sometimes has purple streaks on the blooms. The backside of its petals is tinged with purple. Its leaves are heart-shaped, with coarse, rounded teeth. Currently recognized infraspecific taxa of Viola canadensis include Viola canadensis var. canadensis, Viola canadensis subsp. canadensis, Viola canadensis var. rugulosa (Greene) C.L. Hitchc., and Viola canadensis subsp. scopulorum (A. Gray) House. Both its leaves and blossoms are edible. Its blossoms can be used to make jelly. The South Ojibwa people use a root decoction of this plant to treat pains near the bladder.
