Viola odorata
Content
Description
Perennial;
Leaves 2½-6 by 2½ by 6½ cm, orbicular-reniform to -ovate, deeply cordate, rounded to obtuse, shallowly crenate to crenate-serrate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent on veins and margins;
Stipules 8-12 by 3-5 mm, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, usually glandular-fimbriate, glabrous, free.
Flowers 10-15 mm, purple or white;
Sepals c. 5 by c. 2 mm, ovate, obtuse, entire, with ciliate margins;
Petals broadly obovate, laterals bearded or not;
Capsule globose, pubescent.
Distribution
Asia Minor present, Asia-Temperate, Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines cultivated), Luzon cultivated, Throughout Europe except the extreme north present, mountain regions of Java cultivated
Throughout Europe except the extreme north, Asia Minor, Caucasus, in Malesia: garden-ornamental in mountain regions of Java and the Philippines (Luzon); not known to be naturalized but BACKER & BAKHUIZEN f. stated that “it is planted to prevent erosion by rain-wash”.