Member of the Violaceae (Violet) family. Grows in damp woods, meadows, 3 - 8 inches, March - June. Smooth; 2 lateral petals bearded, lower petal longer, unbearded; all 3 lower petals strongly veined. Leafstalks often longer than flower stalks, sometimes downy. The flower is dark violet in color and is held above the foliage on its own stem.