Ionopsidium
(from Ion, a Violet, and opsis, appearance; alluding to the resemblance to some of the tufted dwarf-growing Violets). ORD. Cruciferoe. A genus comprising two species of small hardy annual herbs, one from Portugal, and the other a native of Sicily and Algeria. Flowers violet, white, or flesh-coloured, small, on long peduncles; sepals spreading, equal at the base; pouch broadly oblong, laterally compressed. Leaves sessile or petiolate, spathulate or orbiculate, entire or three-lobed. I. acaule, the species introduced to cultivation, has an extremely neat habit, and rarely exceeds 2in. in height. It thrives on rockwork, and makes an extremely pretty pot plant for window gardening. Seeds may be sown in the open--preferably in pots--any time during spring and summer. This plant should have at all times a shady situation. It often reproduces itself year after year, by self-sowing. I. acaule (stemless).* fl. lilac, or white tinged with violet. Summer and winter. h. 2in. to 3in. Portugal, 1845. (B. R. 1846, 51.)