The Missouri Violet is very similar to Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet). It differs from the latter species in the following ways

This native perennial plant consists of a rosette of leaves about 6' across, from which flowering stalks develop directly from the rootstock. Each blade of a basal leaf is up to 3½' long and 2½' across, while its petiole is about as long as the blade. The leaf blades are deltoid-cordate to oval-cordate, glabrous or nearly so, palmately veined, and crenate along their margins. The petioles are rather stout, pale green, hairless or nearly so, and widely spreading to ascending. The ascending flowering stalks are about as tall as the leaves; the stalks are pale green to pale reddish green and hairless. Each stalk nods downward at its apex and terminates in a single flower. Each flower is about ½–¾' across, consisting of 5 pale blue-violet petals and 5 pale green sepals. The lower lateral petals are bearded with white hairs near the throat of the flower; the lowest petal and upper lateral petals are beardless. The throat of the flower is white, and there are dark blue-violet veins on the lowest petal and lower lateral petals that function as nectar guides to flower-visiting insects. Sometimes the white throat of the flower is surrounded by a band of blue-violet that is slightly darker than the outer regions of the petals. At the back of each flower, there is a short blunt nectar spur. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late spring and lasts about 1½ months. Somewhat later, cleistogamous flowers are produced that are self-fertile; they lack showy petals. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a tripartite seed capsule. The small seeds in each capsule are dull light brown with oily elaisomes; they are ejected mechanically from the capsule. The root system consists of a short crown with thick rhizomes and fibrous roots. Reproduction occurs through the seeds and rhizomes.

Missouri Violet occurs occasionally throughout Illinois; it is more common in the southern half of the state than the northern half (see Distribution Map). Habitats include deciduous woodlands (bottomland or floodplain), woodland openings, areas along woodland paths, and rocky bluffs. The Missouri Violet doesn't occur in sunny areas to the same extent as Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet) and its various color forms.

Viola sororia var. missouriensis (Greene) L.E. McKinney:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Viola langloisii Greene:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Viola affinis Leconte:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Viola missouriensis Greene:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Canada

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Missouri Violet occurs occasionally throughout Illinois; it is more common in the southern half of the state than the northern half (see Distribution Map). Habitats include deciduous woodlands (bottomland or floodplain), woodland openings, areas along woodland paths, and rocky bluffs. The Missouri Violet doesn't occur in sunny areas to the same extent as Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet) and its various color forms.

The flowers occasionally attract bees and other insects, including the oligolectic Andrena viola (Violet Andrenid Bee). These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies (Speyeria spp., Boloria spp., & Eupoieta claudia) eat the foliage of Viola spp. (Violets). Because of their oily elaisomes, the seeds are distributed in part by ants. The seeds of Violets are eaten to a limited extent by various birds and small rodents, including the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, and White-Footed Mouse. The Wild Turkey also eats the foliage and fleshy rhizomes. Mammalian herbivores eat the foliage to a limited extent.

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic material.