Growing in abundance throughout Illinois, violets are a natural choice as the Illinois state
flower. There are so many varieties of the flower in the state of Illinois, no one knows
which the schoolchildren had in mind when they selected it, but it hardly seems likely
that it mattered then, and surely it matters even less now. Every type of violet is a lovely,
and well-loved flower, whether growing in Aurora, or
Chicago, or anywhere in the state’s
great farmlands.
The most recognizable and widespread of the native violets in Illinois is the dooryard
violet, as it is easy to grow anywhere, in full sunlight or in shade. Most of the 400 to 500
species of wildflower violets found around the world prefer moist, shaded areas, often
growing beneath hedges where they are protected.
The dooryard violet is one of the more interesting violets as it does something quite
unusual in the world of plants: it produces two different types of flowers at two different
times of year.
In spring these violets produce the large recognizable flowers you always see in photos
and wildflower guidebooks. The petals of the Illinois state flower are actually edible and
are often covered with sugar and used as cake decorations. After these have bloomed, the
violet produces small, closed flowers that look more like mere buds, closer to the ground
on shorter stems. These flowers produce most of the violet plant’s seeds.
You can find violets that are purple (like the violet color the flower is named for) and in
many other shades such as light blue, yellow, white, cream and in two-tones varieties as
well.
Depending on the variety, violets can be a perennial, an annual, a shrub or a small plant,
but always with the recognizable shape of the main flower that we know and love.
Adding to the violet’s popularity is its long flowering season. Its flowers can be seen
throughout Illinois almost all spring and summer long. It’s also hugely popular with
many varieties of insects that thrive on the nutritious flowers and leaves of the Nevada
state flower.
In many parts of the country, some flowers in the violet family are called pansies. But in
Illinois, of course, a violet is a violet.
Chicago Florist
Illinois state flower sources:
http://www.illinois.gov/facts/symbolsdesc.cfm#flower
http://www.50states.com/flower/illinois.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_%28plant%29