The common blue violet is the official state flower of New Jersey — a small, heart-leaved purple bloom of spring.

• Official flower: Common violet
• Scientific name: Viola sororia
• Year adopted: 1971
• Native range: eastern North America

About the common violet

New Jersey recognized the violet as a symbol as early as 1913, but it was not signed into law as the official state flower until 1971. The low-growing plant produces delicate five-petaled purple flowers across lawns, woodlands, and roadsides.

Where it grows

The common violet grows throughout New Jersey in lawns, meadows, and woodland edges, blooming in early to mid-spring.

New Jersey state flower FAQs

What is the state flower of New Jersey?

New Jersey’s state flower is the common violet (Viola sororia), which it adopted in 1971.

When did New Jersey adopt its state flower?

New Jersey designated the common violet as its official state flower in 1971.

When did New Jersey make the violet official?

New Jersey used the violet as a symbol from 1913 but did not sign it into law as the official state flower until 1971.

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