Description
The purple violet is a water-loving perennial herb – if it’s not growing in water, it’s likely growing near it. Its blue-centred blooms will catch your eye from May to July, when they add a punch of colour to meadows, bogs and open woodlands.
New Brunswick’s official flower is one of several Canadian emblems that were selected by means of public input. It’s also the featured star of the fourth Floral Emblems of Canada $3 fine silver coin series, with a reverse design that captures the look of antique silver jewellery. The Mintage is limited to 4,000. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse design by Canadian artist Lisa Thomson-Khan features a stylized floral pattern on the outer ring, while the inner core features a colour portrait of the official floral emblem of New Brunswick, the purple violet (Viola cucullata). The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
New Brunswick – Purple Violet:
The purple violet (Viola palmata, var, cucullata) is a perennial which flowers from May through July. It is stemless, with leaves and flower stocks growing directly from rootstocks. The flowers of the purple violet have been used in jams and syrups, and are supposed to have properties to soothe the digestive tract and suppress a cough. The flower was adopted as the New Brunswick floral emblem in 1936, at the request of the provincial Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor and New Brunswick schoolchildren.
