VIOLACEAE

VIOLET FAMILY

R. John Little

Annual to shrub or vine (generally per in CA)
Leaves basal, cauline, or both, generally alternate, entire to compound; stipules generally small
Inflorescence: head, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary; peduncle bractlets 2
Flower generally bisexual, generally bilateral; sepals 5, free to slightly fused, generally persistent; petals 5, free, lowest generally spurred or pouched at base; stamens generally 5, alternate petals, filaments short, wide, anthers surrounding ovary, adherent or fused, often with nectaries at base, often with membranous appendage at tip; ovary superior, chamber 1, placentas 3, parietal, ovules generally many, style 1
Fruit: generally capsule, 3-valved, generally explosively dehiscent
Seeds generally appendaged
Genera in family: 15 genera, 600 species: generally temp, worldwide; some cultivated as ornamental; some Eur species medicinally useful as emetics, diuretics, purgatives
Reference: [Brizicky 1961 J Arnold Arbor 42:321–333]

VIOLA

VIOLET

Annual or perennial herb < 35 cm, glabrous to hairy
Leaf entire to compound
Inflorescence: flower generally solitary, axillary
Flower bilateral; sepals subequal, appendaged at base; petals unequal, lowest spurred or pouched at base, lateral 2 equal, generally spreading, often hairy near base, upper 2 equal, erect; lower 2 stamens with nectaries projecting into spur
Fruit: capsule, ovoid to oblong
Etymology: (Latin: ancient name)
Reference: [Clausen 1964 Madroño 17:173–197]
Cleistogamous flowers generally present. Seeds often dispersed by ants that feed on seed-appendages.

Native

V. sempervirens Greene

EVERGREEN VIOLET

Plant 2–15 cm; stolons with scattered leaves, at nodes rooting, rosette-forming
Stem erect from scaly rhizome
Leaves basal and cauline, simple, leathery, evergreen; hairs 0 to sparse, especially on veins; petiole 10–160 mm; blade 10–40 mm, generally wider than long, generally purple-spotted on 1 or both surfaces, crenate, base cordate, tip obtuse
Inflorescence: peduncle 50–100 mm
Flower: petals lemon-yellow, lowest (including spur) 8–17 mm, very wide, lower 3 veined purple, lateral 2 bearded
Fruit < 7 mm, purple-mottled
Chromosomes: n=12,24
Ecology: Coastal forests
Elevation: 30–1400 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Central Western California
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia
Horticultural information: SHD, IRR, DRN: 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24; DFCLT; GRCVR.