Viola sagittata

Viola sagittata, commonly called the arrowleaf violet,^[1] is a species of flowering plant in the violet family (Violaceae). It is native to the eastern North America in Canada and the United States, where it is widespread.^[2] It is found in a variety of natural habitats, but is most common in dry, open communities such as prairies, glades, or woodlands, often in sandy or rocky soil.^[3][4]

Viola sagittata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Violaceae
Genus:	Viola
Species:	V. sagittata
Binomial name
Viola sagittata Aiton

Viola sagittata is a stemless perennial. It can be distinguished from other Viola in its area by its leaves that are much longer than wide, with truncate to subcordate bases.^[5] It produces purple flowers in the spring.^[3]

Taxonomy

Two varieties are currently recognized.^[4][6] They are quite distinct, which has led some taxonomists to consider them to be distinct species.^[7] The varieties are:

• V. sagittata var. ovata - Found primarily in the Appalachian Mountains and Great Lakes area.
• V. sagittata var. sagittata - Widespread across eastern North America.