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Native Plant Society of Texas

Missouri Violet

Viola sororia var. missouriensis

Other common name(s):

Common Blue Violet

Family:

Violaceae (Violet Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover, Herbaceous

Height

0.5
to
0.75
ft.

Spread

0.25
to
0.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Moist, Rich

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Riparian, Wetland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Pink, Purple, White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Flowers, Larval Host, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Butterflies

Maintenance

Easy to grow. Reseeds profusely. Thin plants if they become overgrown. It prefers a well-drained woodland shade garden. Violets are a sign that spring has arrived, and this is often one of the most common violets found within its range. Will go dormant during drought. Native habitat: woodlands and riverine forests, wet or damp soils along streams and on shady hillsides in coniferous forests,

Description

Blooms February-April. Grows as a short-lived perennial in the southern part of the state and an annual further north. Low growing form with glossy, heart-shaped leaves. Purple to white flowers have conspicuous white throats; the three lower petals somewhat hairy, with a spur. The fruit is a capsule. Larval host: Variegated Fritillary.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Viola missouriensis

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 53. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 111. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIMI3. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Viola+sororia+var.+missouriensis&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=24014&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=541753#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow seeds in a tray or small pot filled with well draining seed compost mix. Press the seeds gently into the soil. But do not burry them, they need light to germinate. Cover the containers with clear plastic to maintain humidity. Place the containers in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Germination can take 10 days to several weeks. Once seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves. Carefully transplant them into individual pots. Gradually acclimate the young plants to outdoor conditions before transplanting them in their final location Collect seeds from mature violet plants, or purchase commercially. 1) https://www.gardenia.net/guide/violets-viola-how-to-grow-and-care 2) https://earthone.io/plant/viola%20sororia
Bud Division Carefully dig up the clump of violets you wish to divide, trying not to damage the roots. Gently tease apart the roots with your fingers or a knife to separate the clump into individual plantsmaking sure eachclum has a good root system and some foliage. Replant the divisons in prepared soil with plenty of room to grow. Water the transplants well and keep consistently moist until plants are established. The best time to divide violets is early spring or fall when the plants are not inf full bloom. 1) https://www.gardenia.net/guide/violets-viola-how-to-grow-and-care 2) https://earthone.io/plant/viola%20sororia

About the Region

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This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason