Woolly Blue Violet

Viola sororia

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Speyeria cybele, Eubaphe mendica, Hypercompe scribonia, Speyeria aphrodite, Boloria selene, Speyeria atlantis, Speyeria idalia, Boloria bellona, Elaphria grata, Agrotis venerabilis, Boloria eunomia, Apantesis nais, Agrotis gladiaria, Udea rubigalis, Noctua pronuba
S13+S15 15 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena violae
S17 Fowler pollen specialist on Viola; S10 oligolectic visitor of Viola spp.
❄️ Winter Food Source: Seeds consumed by Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Ruffed Grouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Vesper Sparrow, American Pipit, and Lapland Longspur. Wild Turkeys also eat leaves and fleshy roots. Seeds have elaiosomes attracting ants for myrmecochorous dispersal.
S57 avian diet records; S10 turkeys eat leaves and roots

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5). Ranked S4 (Apparently Secure) in Quebec and SNR (Not Ranked) in Ontario. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Widespread and common across eastern North America.
S22 G5, S4 QC, SNR ON; S26 not SARA listed
Rarity Ranks: QC S4 – Apparently Secure, ON SNR – Not Ranked
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Characteristic of rich, moist deciduous forests including beech-maple and oak-hickory associations. Typical of woodland floors, forest edges, and mesic meadows on loamy to clay-loam soils. Associates include Acer saccharum, Trillium grandiflorum, Ostrya virginiana, and Geranium maculatum. Tolerates disturbance and readily colonizes urban parks and lawns.
S7 deciduous forest habitats and associates; S10 woodland borders, mesic conditions; S12 south and west QC

Roles: Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 13 bee associations (threshold=3)]
Notes: Dynamic accumulator gathering minerals from soil and storing them in bioavailable form for mulch or fertilizer. Tolerates juglone, making it suitable for planting under black walnut. Excellent ground cover for woodland garden edges and dappled shade.
S29 dynamic accumulator; S3 tolerates juglone

Category: Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Blood Medicine, Cold Remedy, Cough Medicine, Dermatological Aid, Respiratory Aid, Tonic
S28 Moerman Cherokee uses
Notes: Cherokee traditional medicine: poultice of leaves applied for headaches; infusion taken for dysentery, coughs, colds, and as a spring tonic; crushed root poultice applied to boils; infusion sprayed into nose for catarrh. Root infusion also used to soak corn before planting as insect repellent.
S28 Moerman Cherokee uses; S29 PFAF medicinal summary

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: Young leaves and flower buds edible raw or cooked; rich in vitamins A and C. Leaves thicken soup like okra. Flowers used as salad garnish, made into candies, jellies, and tea. Despite edibility, not commonly consumed as a food staple.
S29 edible parts and preparation; S4 vitamins A and C, candies and jellies