PLANT PROFILE

Viola bicolor
field pansy


Viola bicolor
Viola bicolor
Photo courtesy Renee Brecht
Britton & Brown
Botanical name: Viola bicolor
Common name: field pansy
Group: dicot
Family: Violaceae
Growth type: forb/herb
Duration: perennial
Origin: native
Plant height: 2 - 12"
Foliage: alternate; leaf blade tapers toward the stalk. Stipules divided into narrow lobes.
Flower: irregular flower, white or blue, sometimes with a yellow marking
Flowering time: bloom April into late spring
Habitat: disturbed habitats, as well as fields, & open woods on substrates ranging from sandy soil to clay to limestone
Range in New Jersey: statewide
Heritage ranking, if any: n/a
Distribution:
Misc. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees, and occasionally small butterflies and skippers. The caterpillars of various Fritillary butterflies (Boloria spp., Speyeria spp., etc.) and moths feed on the foliage of Viola.
 
The seeds are eaten in limited amounts by the Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, Mourning Dove, and some songbirds.