Viola cucullata, the hooded blue violet, marsh blue violet or purple violet, is a species of the genus Viola native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia. It is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Description

The purple violet is a low-growing perennial herbaceous plant up to 20 cm tall. The leaves form a basal cluster; they are simple, up to 10 cm broad, with an entire margin and a long petiole. The flowers are violet, dark blue and occasionally white. with five petals. The fruit is a capsule 10 – long, which splits into three sections at maturity to release the numerous small seeds. Its habitats include wet meadows, prairies, and fields.

Symbolism

The purple violet is the provincial flower of New Brunswick. The purple violet is the official flower of the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma. The purple violet is also one of the official flowers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.