Viola odorata L.
sweet violet
Violaceae (Violet family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Bob Thacker     (Photo ID #74306)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Viola odorata
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a rhizome, with stolons, plants up to 15 cm tall; stems lacking.
Leaves:
Basal leaves heart-shaped, toothed, the blades 2-6 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, the stalks up to 12 cm long, smooth or finely hairy; stem leaves lacking; stipules lanceolate, entire.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of single, axillary flowers; petals 5, white to violet, the lower petal 1.2-1.6 cm long including the 3- to 4-mm long pouched spur, the lower 3 not bearded, the lateral pair usually bearded; sepals 5, lanceolate; style heads hooked.
Fruits:
Capsules, smooth; seeds cream-coloured.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry roadsides and waste places in the lowland zone; infrequent on SE Vancouver Island, Galiano Island and the Vancouver area; introduced from Europe.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia