New Brunswick's Provincial Flower: The Purple Violet

The purple violet (Viola cucullata) is New Brunswick's provincial flower. This flower was chosen in 1936 by the Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and the province's schoolchildren. The purple violet is a perennial that blooms from May to July and grows in moist meadows and along stream banks. It is also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

The purple violet was chosen as the provincial flower in 1936

The purple violet, or Viola cucullata, was chosen as the provincial flower of New Brunswick, Canada, in 1936. This decision was made at the request of the provincial Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and New Brunswick schoolchildren. The purple violet is a perennial that flowers from May through July. It is a modest plant, growing to a height of five to ten inches, and is stemless, with leaves and flower stalks growing directly from rootstocks.

The purple violet is native to moist meadows and stream banks in New Brunswick. In addition to the purple variety, there are eight other species of violets with purple or blue blossoms, as well as yellow and white violets. These flowers are typically associated with spring but can sometimes be found blooming as late as October. The violet is also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, and the bird's-foot violet is the state flower of Wisconsin.

The flowers of the purple violet are edible and have been used in jams and syrups. They are also believed to have medicinal properties, such as soothing the digestive tract and suppressing coughs. The violet is a relative of the pansy and can be found throughout Eastern Canada, particularly in wet meadows and woodlands. In New Brunswick, it grows especially well in fields, lawns, and gardens in early summer.

The choice of the purple violet as the provincial flower reflects the beauty and diversity of New Brunswick's natural environment. It joins other provincial symbols such as the black-capped chickadee, which was adopted as the official bird in 1983, and the balsam fir, which was designated as the official tree in 1987. These symbols represent the cultural and natural heritage of New Brunswick and help foster a sense of pride and connection among its residents.

The flower was selected by the Women's Institute, Lieutenant Governor and schoolchildren

The purple violet, or Viola cucullata, was selected as the official flower of New Brunswick, Canada, in 1936. The choice was made by the Women's Institute, Lieutenant Governor, and schoolchildren of the province.

The purple violet is a perennial plant that flowers from May through July. It is stemless, with leaves and flower stalks growing directly from rootstocks. The plant typically grows to a height of five to ten inches and can be found in moist meadows and along stream banks. The violet is also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

The choice of the purple violet as the provincial flower was influenced by the plant's cultural and practical significance. The flower is edible and has been used in jams and syrups. Additionally, it is believed to have medicinal properties, such as soothing the digestive tract and suppressing coughs.

The process of selecting the provincial flower involved collaboration between the Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and the schoolchildren. The Women's Institute is a organization that plays an active role in promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of New Brunswick. The Lieutenant Governor, as the representative of the province, has a role in approving symbols and emblems that represent the province's identity. The involvement of the schoolchildren added a sense of engagement and ownership among the younger generation in choosing a symbol that represents their province.

The selection of the purple violet as New Brunswick's provincial flower was a collective effort that considered the flower's cultural significance and the input of various stakeholders, including the Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and the schoolchildren. This process ensured that the chosen symbol was representative of the province's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The flower is edible and has been used in jams and syrups

New Brunswick's provincial flower is the purple violet, also known as the marsh blue violet. This flower is edible and has been used in jams and syrups. Both the leaves and flowers of the marsh blue violet are edible and can be used to make teas and salads or for decorating cakes. The flowers are believed to have medicinal properties, soothing the digestive tract and suppressing coughs.

The purple violet was adopted as the official flower of New Brunswick in 1936, based on input from the Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and the province's schoolchildren. The flower is a member of the violet family (Violaceae) and is a cousin of the pansy. It produces delicate light purple-blue flowers in the spring and early summer, and its leaves are a rich, kidney-shaped green.

The marsh blue violet is a "stemless" violet, meaning that the flowers and leaves emerge from the ground from a horizontal, underground stalk. This is in contrast to "leafy-stemmed violets," which have leaves on their flower stalks. As its name suggests, this flower thrives in wet conditions such as marshes, swamps, and near streams and ponds. They are easy to grow and can also be found in pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and container gardens in sunny or partially shady areas and in a range of soil types.

The marsh blue violet is native to the southern parts of eastern Canada and the southern United States. It grows especially well in New Brunswick and can be seen in fields, lawns, and gardens in early summer. The flower is also featured on the province's coat of arms and flag, which were granted by Queen Victoria in 1868.

The purple violet is also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island

The purple violet, or Viola palmata, var, cucullata, is the provincial flower of New Brunswick. It was adopted as the floral emblem in 1936 at the request of the provincial Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and New Brunswick schoolchildren. The purple violet is also native to the states of Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, where it is also recognised as the state flower.

In Illinois, the violet was chosen as the official state flower after a vote by schoolchildren in 1907. Senator Jackson then sponsored a bill to make the violet the official state flower, which became law on January 21, 1908. The law designates the "blue violet", of which there are eight species in the state. The most common of these is the dooryard violet (Viola sororia).

The violet was also chosen as the state flower of New Jersey by schoolchildren, in 1907. It was officially adopted as the state flower in 1974, after a group of children from the Sunnybrae School in Hamilton Township presented a song and poem to the State House. The violet can be found in New Jersey fields, lawns, and meadows, anywhere with warm spring sunshine.

The state flower of Rhode Island is also the common blue violet, Viola sororia. It was voted for by schoolchildren and announced on Arbor Day in 1897, but it wasn't until March 11, 1968, that it was officially adopted as the state flower. Rhode Island was the last state to adopt an official state flower.

The flower grows in moist meadows and along stream banks

The purple violet (Viola palmata, var, cucullata) is the provincial flower of New Brunswick. This flower was adopted as the floral emblem of the province in 1936, at the request of the provincial Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor, and New Brunswick schoolchildren. The purple violet is a perennial that flowers from May through July. It is a modest plant, growing to a height of five to ten inches, and is stemless, with leaves and flower stalks growing directly from rootstocks.

The purple violet is found throughout Eastern Canada, particularly in wet meadows and woodlands. It grows especially well in New Brunswick and is often seen in fields, lawns, and gardens in early summer. The flower grows in moist meadows and along stream banks. This habitat provides the ideal conditions for the purple violet to thrive and flourish.

Moist meadows offer an abundance of water, which is essential for the purple violet's growth and development. The moist conditions help maintain the plant's hydration and support its delicate nature. The meadows also provide ample space for the flowers to spread and grow, allowing them to form beautiful violet carpets across the landscape. The presence of streams or water bodies nearby further enhances the moisture levels in the surrounding areas, creating a conducive environment for the flowers.

Stream banks, in addition to providing a constant water source, offer a unique microclimate that supports the growth of purple violets. The banks often have a mix of soil and rock, creating a well-drained environment that these flowers prefer. The slight elevation of stream banks also helps protect the flowers from potential flooding, ensuring they are not submerged for extended periods.

The purple violet's ability to thrive in these specific habitats adds to its significance in New Brunswick. Its delicate beauty and vibrant colour make it a beloved symbol of the province, and its association with moist meadows and stream banks further emphasises its connection to the natural environment of the region.

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