Violet in Smallwood (from yesterday)

I have seen several white Violets this season.  At least one other has been posted previously and one from today will be posted after I receive the pictures.  At some point soon, I will round up the better photos of each species and arrange a key for the area.  (I will link back to these scattered posts so that there will be access to more complete albums of each species while keeping the key down to 2 or so good images of each.)  Unfortunately, I have not been able to collect photos of every species I came across, but realistically this project will take several years to near "completion".  If you have any images, particularly of unusual Violets, please sent them to me.  wathakes@gmail.com
A look through these keys to white Violets will help one understand what to look for, common species, etc.  (Again, the future will bring a comprehensive post on this blog.):

http://www.macbe.com/botanyclub/english/nbvioletkeyw.html

​http://www.namethatplant.net/4DCGI/Key_Violet_mobile?setViolet=v_stemless_white_all_all

http://www.northernontarioflora.ca/genusdescription.cfm?genusid=1000777#key2

http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/flora-fauna/keys/violets/

Violets have many medicinal applications.  Perhaps a good general idea to start with is that Violets nourish yin- they are moistening and cooling and address issues relating to the body's yin, the body fluids, and address issues of heat and inflammation.  

Violets in TCM

Violets in "A Modern Herbal"