Question: I have an abundance of white violets that are thriving in a wet part of my yard (over the cess …
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Question
I have an abundance of white violets that are thriving in a wet part of my yard (over the cess pool), which I think are a white form of Viola sororia. Last year I discovered a speckled violet that Carol Gracie told me was a cultivated form of Viola sororia 'Freckles.' Does a white form of Viola sororia exist and if so, is it V. sororia 'alba'? They appear to self sow more than spread by runners. This year I have several more speckled ones. Photos included. I live in Chappaqua, NY.
Answer
Dear missyfabel, thank you for your nice images. With violets, I would need specimens or a series of detailed images that displayed details of the sepals, their cilia, petal hairs, leaf pubescence, etc. in order to identify these for you. I have seen Viola cucullata (marsh violet) with the spotted color of one of your photographs. From what I can discern of this image, it does not appear to be Viola sororia (the sepal morphology looks incorrect). Every white-flowered violet I've seen similar to Viola sororia was actually a hybrid with Viola cucullata (though I don't know for sure with your image). Hopefully this is some help for you. Feel free to discuss further and/or send additional images to ahaines[at]newenglandwildorg. Best wishes.
