Violets are small, delicate flowers that usually have five soft petals shaped like tiny butterfly wings. Even though their name is “violet,” they can be purple, blue, yellow, or even white! There are over 500 different kinds of violets growing all around the world. Violets are the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin, so lots of people really love them. In the old days, people even used violets to make purple dye for coloring clothes and to add flavor to sweet treats.
These sweet little flowers often grow in shady spots under trees or hiding in the grass, so you have to look carefully to find them. Some violets have a very special trick with their smell. When you sniff a violet, a chemical in the flower turns off your nose for just a moment, so the smell seems to disappear and then come back again! Violets are also a favorite food for some butterfly caterpillars, so having violets in your garden can help bring beautiful butterflies. Some types of violets are even safe for people to eat, and bakers use them to decorate fancy cakes and desserts.
