The Purple Violet (Viola Cucullate) was named the official floral emblem of New Brunswick on December 1, 1936. This particular flower was chosen through a co-operative effort of the school children and the Women's Institutes of the province.

A modest plant of some five to ten inches in height, the Purple Violet grows in moist meadows and along stream banks. Besides this violet, there are eight other species which have a purple or blue blossom. There are also yellow and white violets. The violets are thought of as spring flowers, but sometimes they flower as late as October.

This violet is also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island. The bird's-foot violet is the state flower of Wisconsin.