Viola lanceolata is a low, stemless, perennial, herb; colonial from slender, leafy rhizomes.
Leaves in a rosette, alternate on rhizomes, narrow, about 8 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, margins toothed.
Flowers white, with purplish veins at center, 5 petals bilaterally symmetrical, beardless, calyx persistent in fruit; producing closed, inconspicuous, self-fertilizing flowers during summer; blooms April-July.
Fruit green, above old calyx, about 0.6 cm long, seeds numerous, brown; seeds often with a fleshy attachment, attractive to ants, which disperse them.
Wetland status: OBL.
Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent.
Origin: Native.
Habitat: Open or part shaded wet meadows, marsh edges.