{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = Viola lanceolata.jpg |image_caption = Viola lanceolata flower |genus = Viola (plant) |species = lanceolata |authority = L. |range_map = Viola lanceolata Distribution in N.A..png |range_map_caption = Distribution of ''Viola lanceolata'' in North America }}
'''''Viola lanceolata''''',<ref>{{IPNI|id=868494-1|date=5 April 2012}}</ref> commonly known as '''lance-leaved violet''' or '''bog white violet''',<ref name="plantpage">{{cite web|url=http://www.alabamaplants.com/Whitealt/Viola_lanceolata_page.html |title=Alabama Plants |publisher=alabamaplants.com |access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> is a small group of stemless white-flowered violets. It is an ornamental plant in the Violaceae family, part of the genus ''Viola''. It gets its name from its lanceolate leaf shape and from the habitats in which it thrives.
==Distribution== ''Viola lanceolata'' originates from North America and can be found in many states in the United States and in Canada. Its native status is L48 (N), CAN (N), and SPM (N).<ref name="Viola lanceolata L.">{{PLANTS |symbol=VILA4 |taxon=Viola lanceolata L. |access-date=5 April 2012}}</ref>
==Habitat and ecology== ''Viola lanceolata'' can be found growing in bogs, swamps, wet meadows and along shores in sandy soil. It is a perennial plant that blooms between May and June.<ref name="Minnesota">{{Minnesota Wildflowers|flower/lance-leaved-violet|Viola lanceolata (Lance-leaved Violet) |access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> ''Viola lanceolata'' frequently hybridizes with northern white violet (''Viola macloskeyi'') to form primrose-leaved violet (''Viola primulifolia''). It grows in similar habitats but has leaves intermediate between lance shaped and the typical heart-shaped violet leaves of northern white violet.<ref name="species at risk">{{cite web|url=http://www.speciesatrisk.ca/coastalplainflora/guide/download/Lance-leaved%20Violet.pdf |title=Lance-leafed Violet |publisher=speciesatrisk.ca |access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref>
==Morphology== [[File:Viola lanceolata 10531214.jpg|thumb|Cleistogamous flowers]] thumb|plant form The overall plant is {{cvt|10|–|15|cm|in|0}} tall and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves. These leaves are sometimes wider in the summer than in the spring and have generally smooth surfaces. Its stem is smooth and slender. Its flower contain 5 white petals located at the top of the stalk. The bottom three petals typically have purple veins. This plant spreads with root-like structures that grow over the surface of the ground (stolons).<ref name="species at risk" /> Its growth habit is a forb/herb.<ref name="Viola lanceolata L."/>
==Fruits== The fruit that it bears are green elliptical shaped capsules about a quarter-inch long containing many small round seeds that ripen to dark brown.<ref name="Minnesota"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline}} *{{Wikispecies-inline}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3560365}}
lanceolata Category:Flora of Eastern Canada Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Flora of the Northeastern United States Category:Flora of the Southeastern United States Category:Flora of the North-Central United States Category:Flora of Texas Category:Flora of Oregon Category:Flora of Washington (state) Category:Flora of British Columbia Category:Flora without expected TNC conservation status
{{Violaceae-stub}}