Viola sororia AKA Common Blue Violet 

I love when in early spring our back yard becomes blanketed with violets!  These beautiful wildflowers are called Viola sororia.  They are a plant native to Connecticut, one that is not only beautiful but edible. There is a close imported look-a-like called Viola odorata, a variety from Europe.  Viola odorata shares many aspects of our native violet but its flowers have a pronounced sweet fragrance.  Viola odorata flowers are considered just as edible as our native violets. Most species of viola are edible including Johnny jump ups and other pansies. Historically our native Viola sororia was a source of both food and medicine for Native Americans. The flowers which range in color from white to various shades of purple can be eaten freshly picked.  Simply toss raw flowers into salads where they will add a colorful accent. Fresh flowers can be frozen into ice cubes or pressed into a soft cheese such as brie.  The flowers can also be preserved for a time as crystalized violets.  Crystalized violet flowers are a delicate confection impressive when used as a decoration on a cake or a garnish floated atop a drink. To make them, simply dip the flowers in slightly beaten egg whites, then dip in granulated sugar. Place the flowers on a parchment lined cookie sheet in a slightly warm oven until they are dry to the touch.  Stored in airtight containers in a dark place, they will keep for several months before the color fades. Just today I found out that the heart shaped leaves of this plant are edible as well!  The leaves can be steamed like spinach.  Although I have yet to try the steamed leaves, the flavor profile is said to be similar to peas, so I imagine slightly sweet. It is advisable to wait until the plant is in bloom before gathering violet leaves for consumption so that you are certain that you have accurately identified the plant.  Please be certain any plants you gather have not been treated with chemicals!

Here is an interesting fact regarding pollination and reproduction of this plant.  The plant forms two types of flowers, the above ground flowers that we are all familiar with.  These are the flowers visited by the pollinators of which there is a diverse group including honeybees, bumblebees, and various beetles, flies and moths.  However, to assure its continued existence perhaps in the case of an especially cold year with lack of insect pollinators, the plant also produces a group of self-pollinating flowers that lie beneath the soil.  These flowers never actually open but do produce seed. If you have ever pulled out a clump of invading violets from your garden, you may have observed some of these closed flowers growing among the rhizomatous root system.  The technical term for the underground flowers is cleistogamous flowers versus the above ground flowers which are chasmogamous flowers.