Purple Violet Viola
Illinois State Flower History:
The original law that made the violet the state flower of Illinois was flawed. At that time, there were eight different species of the blue-flowered Violets. The most common of the species of violet is the Dooryard Violet (Viola sororia). The Dooryard Violet is one of the most recognizable native wildflowers in the state of Illinois . Many types of violets, including the dooryard violet, produce two kinds of flowers. The large showy flowers that people associate with the plants are common in the spring. After the showy flowers have bloomed, the plant produces small, closed flowers on short stems near the ground. These flowers look like small buds. It is these small, closed flowers that produce most of the seeds. The showy flowers are edible. The petals are frequently covered with sugar and used as decorations on cakes.
Back to state flower main
