Family: Violaceae
Viola odorata
Citation:
L., Sp. Pl. 934 (1753).
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Sweet violet, common violet.
Description:
Perennial herb with short erect stems and slender stolons; sparsely pubescent; leaves on long slender petioles, cauline, ovate-orbicular to broadly ovate, deeply caudate at the base, lamina 2-5 cm long, sometimes longer, pubescent, margin crenulate; stipules ovate-lanceolate, fimbriate, entire, connate at the base.
Flowers on long peduncles, bracteoles above the middle; sepals elliptic or ovate, obtuse, 5-6 mm long; petals 12-17 mm long, violet, white, rarely magenta, anterior petal prominently spurred.
Capsule pubescent; seeds white, numerous on each capsular valve.
Published illustration:
Ross-Craig (1950) Drawings Brit. Pl. 4:t. 7.
Distribution:
|
S.Aust.: FR, EA, NL, SL, SE. naturalised in N.S.W.; Vic. Native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
|
Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: May — Sept.
|
SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
|
Biology:
Cleistogamous flowers with much-reduced petals and short peduncles are common.
Author:
Not yet available
|