Posted by Becca Fredrick on June 19, 2007

Q: I found some weeds when i was weeding my garden and was wondering what they are. They have heart-shaped leaves about 1-2 inches long, with one leaf at the end of a stalk, which is about 8 inches long. There are about four or five stalks per plant. When youpull the plant out of the ground, there is a little white mass with thin roots coming out of it. Also coming from it are two purplish roots, which have little 3-petaled seed pods on the ends which lay right under or slightly out of the soil. The seeds are small, round, and yellow. These plants were growing like crazy in the garden, which is in a fairly sunny spot.

I live in the country just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. If anyone knows what these plants are, I'd like to know(just curious). thanks!

State: Virginia

A: Thanks for the nice photos - very helpful!!

Your "weeds" are actually violets. I have a feeling that you missed the "flowers" they produce this past spring. These plants can spread quickly and as you've probably already found, are easy to uproot. Of course the definition of a weed is simply any plant that is growing where you don't want it but now that you know, maybe you'll want this plant to thrive - it's your decision.

Thanks for asking and I hope we've solved your mystery.

John Wiessinger ( June 20, 2007)