Southern Woodland Violet

Serves as a host plant for the Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria cybele). Female fritillary butterflies lay their eggs near (though not always directly on) violet plants in late summer or fall. The hatched caterpillars stay hidden in the leaf litter over the winter and emerge in the spring to feed on the fresh violet leaves.

A perennial species of violet found in the eastern United States. These plants have a medium purple to lavender-purple flowers and distinctive white speckled leaves with pronounced green veins and are found in woodlands that are mesic to dry. (From Silphium Gardens)