Weed

Schooled by Lori & Tori not to ignore weeds, :) I took this with a close-up filter. It was a hectic day and this was about the best there was…

See better weed shots:
http://365project.org/loriromp/365/2011-03-25
http://365project.org/tori3012/random-s/2011-04-08

Update (17 April 2014). This is “Viola sororia” (“Common blue violet”, “Woolly Blue Violet”, “Confederate Violet”, or “Sister Violet”). From Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=m820 » “Woolly Blue Violet is a common Missouri native wildflower which occurs in woods, thickets and streambanks throughout the State. A stemless, rhizomatous, low-growing perennial (3-8" tall) which features downy, basal, wide-heart-shaped leaves and large blue-violet flowers (sometimes white with purple veining). Each flower rests atop its own leafless stalk. Blooms in early spring and sometimes intermittently into late summer.

Garden Uses
Best massed and left to spread undisturbed in open woodland gardens, wildflower gardens, native plant gardens or naturalized areas. Good small scale ground cover for areas along walkways or under shrubs.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Viola_sororia&rank=binomial

[Sharon Lowe]

Like a butterfly! I love these little purple flowers.

[Tari]

weed?? you had me worried for a minute ;-)

[e.gad]

I like the weed shot. :)

[Angie Vega ☮♥ シ]

a weed is no more than a flower in diguise...love it

[Thom Mitchell]

@sharonlowe @egad @angievega
Thanks for all your clever comments! I really appreciate them!
@sitiodown Thanks for a wonderful chuckle, Tari!!

[Rick Schies]

Good one, and would never have known it was a weed. Quite nice.

[Victoria Roberts]

Beautiful shot, who needs flowers when you can find weeds as pretty as this.. I love the dof and lighting xx

[Jen Dee]

very pretty shot.

[Michelle]

Gorgeous, simple, delicate, beautiful :o)

[Thom Mitchell]

@angievega ... Unless it's in your lawn! lol
@digitalrn Thanks, Rick!
@tori3012 Thank you so much, Victoria! The lighting through trees was bright enough to cast a shadow, but not so bright as to burn out the colour. :)
@jendee3 @michelleyoung Thank you, Jen & Michelle!!