This widespread northeastern species is the only stemless blue violet known in Ky. that is restricted to truly hydric sites, as opposed to temporarily flooded or seasonally wet sites. It is generally distinct, but appears to intergrade locally with affinis, sororia and (further north) nephrophylla (Ballard et al. 2023; W). Compared to affinis, which may be the most similar species in eastern Ky., cucullata differs as follows. Seeds are dark brown to reddish (versus light yellowish to orange-brown). Flowers have unusually short beards of strongly clavate hairs (versus filiform or slightly clavate). Peduncles are relatively long, overtopping leaves for regular flowers (versus among leaves), and erect even for the cleistogenes (versus prostrate and short to arching when mature). lowest sepals are linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate;(versus narrowly oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, acute); auricles are short, not elongating (versus prominent, elongating to 7 mm); cleistogenes are more elongated (10-15 mm versus 6-10 mm). Leaves are often relatively narrow (up to 10 x 6.5 cm versus 7x 7 cm), especially the taller early ones, pale (often yellowish when dried); surfaces are generally glabrous or sometimes with scattered short hairs above as in affinis. In western Ky., cucullata has also been confused with missouriensis, which tends to have shorter reguar peduncles, narrower leaf blades and distinct calices; see notes under that name.