This native perennial has leaves and flowers emerging on separate stalks from the roots. The leaves are usually heart-shaped with scalloped margins (C,D). The flowers are usually blue (A), but may also be purple or white (F). The blue flowers have white throats with dark blue “nectar lines,” and “beards” on the two outer petals. Flower shapes and colors of the downy blue violets are quite variable, making some of them difficult to identify positively in the field. The blue and gray color variant (B) is called “Confederate violet.” There may also be hybrids and planted varieties. The Prairie Violet (Viola pedatifida), which may be seen at Neale Woods, also has blue flowers, but it has repeatedly divided leaves.