The other day at a social gathering, I overhead someone complaining about all the violets in her lawn. How she “hated” them, and how they just “won’t go away.” I couldn’t help but ask her if she was aware the violet was the host plant for fritillary butterflies. She looked at me astounded, and just walked away.
I have several different colors of violets in my yard. Whether they’re native or not, I love the color they bring to my lawn and woodland and prairie areas.
There are many host plants for butterflies.
Ezra Brainerd’s book Violets of North America published in 1921 is available on-line.
very interesting featured white one with purple spots!
Hi! Marty — yes, I’m delighted by the variety in the colors of the violets. They always bring a smile to my face!