Viola
(the old Latin name used by Virgil, &c., akin to the Greek Ion). Heartsease; Pansy; Violet. Including Erpetion. ORD. Violarieae. A large genus (about 100 species) of mostly hardy, perennial herbs, rarely suffrutescent; nearly sixty are found in North temperate regions (seven in Britain), about thirty in South America, two in South or East Africa, and eight in Australia or New Zealand. Flowers often cleistogamous (except in the group of which V. tricolor may be taken as a representative)--the large-petaled ones appear first, and often yield no seed; the small-petaled, or apetalous ones, appear late, and are prolific--sepals sub-equal, produced at the base; petals spreading, the lower ones often larger, spurred or saccate at base; anthers connate, the connectives of the two lower ones often spurred at the base; peduncles axillary, one or rarely tow-flowered. Leaves alternate; stipules persistent, often leaf-like. Of the large number of species introduced, the best-known are here described; they are mostly dwarf plants--seldom exceeding 6in. in height--adapted for planting on rockwork, in flower borders, and, if sufficiently plentiful, in wild gardens, &c. Some of the species are very dwarf and compact in habit: these should, therefore, particularly if scarce, only be planted in select places where they can receive proper attention. The species may generally be propagated by seeds, by runners, or by divisions. The numerous varieties of bedding Violas and Pansies are popular and well-known plants, valuable for spring and summer bedding, for mixed borders, and for many other situations; they flower in the greatest profusion, and over a lengthened period, if the weather is not too hot and dry for their well-being. Seedlings may easily be raised, but varieties must be perpetuated by cuttings or by divisions. The treatment recommended under Pansy is also applicable to the bedding Violas.
Varieties. The following is a selection of floriferous varieties. Perhaps many others are equally as good as those here named.
ALPHA, bluish-purple. BLUE BELL, violet, shaded blue; very floriferous. CANARY, yellow; fine, CRITERION, violet; free. DICKSON'S GOLDEN GEM, golden-yellow; very free. GRIEVEI, yellow. HOLYROOD, indigo-blue; fine. LILACINA, rich lilac. PILRIG PARK, pure white; large and good. ROYAL VISIT, violet self. SNOWDROP, waxy-white. THE TORY, plum-colour; one of the best. SWEET VIOLETS (Viola odorata). Of these there are several varieties cultivated in gardens, and few flowers are more generally liked, particularly through the winter and spring months. To insure a supply at these periods, a special system of culture must be practised, and frames must be available. Stock plants may be divided--those similarly treated the previous year are preferable--into as many young single crowns as they admit, in April or May, and all the old crowns should be thrown away, unless required for propagating only. The selected crowns should be planted in good ground, and in an open situation, about 9in. apart, allowing 12in. between the rows. A position where Violets generally succeed in summer is a north or north-west border, but much depends on local circumstances and the nature of the soil, whether light or heavy; if light, the north border should be selected, as it would be cooler than elsewhere, and the plants would be less liable to the attacks of Red Spider, which is their greatest enemy. Attention to cleaning, lightly hoeing the surface soil, and watering, if necessary, are important details of summer management. Mulching with spent mushroom beds, or other short manure, is of great advantage if the summer be hot; it keeps the soil cool, and tends to prevent undue evaporation. Syringing, or sprinkling with water from a can, in the evenings, after dry days, is recommended, and most of the young runners which will appear should be cut away when small. Some cultivators save about three runners on each plant, and peg them down; these root and flower well during winter with the parent, and make excellent stock plants for the next year. Towards the middle or end of September, the frames, or pits, should be prepared, and the best specimens lifted and planted in them just close enough to occupy all the space without overcrowding. The frames should have a south aspect, and should be partially filled with well-prepared stable litter and leaves. About 6in. of soil is necessary for planting in, and this should be brought up as near the glass as the foliage will allow, so that full exposure to light and sunshine in winter will be assured. Give a thorough watering, and keep the frames rather close for about a week after planting; plenty of air may then be admitted, on all favourable opportunities, all through the winter, the sashes being entirely removed during sunshine and when there is no frost and also in very mild weather. Foggy weather is injurious to Violets in frames: it causes damping amongst the leaves, and prevents proper development of the flowers. Marie Louise is one of the best of all Violets for frame culture when treated as described; Comte Brazza and the old Neapolitan are also excellent. The Neapolitan does not generally grow so freely as Marie Louise, and is later in flowering. These three double-flowered varieties are general favourites for frames.
Varieties. There are several varieties, both double and single-flowered; the following selection comprises most of the best:
ARGENTAEFLORA, purplish-white, very fragrant. COMTE BRAZZA, white, double, sweet-scented; extra good. CZAR, blue, single, large, and produced in great profusion. MARIE LOUISE, lavender-blue and white, very large flowers, sweet-scented; very floriferous, extra fine. NEAPOLITAN, pale lavender; an old and well-known double variety, very sweet-scented. ODORATA ALBA, white, single; dwarf and distinct. QUEEN OF VIOLETS, white, flushed with pink, double. RUSSIAN, blue, single, large, very free; an old variety. VICTORIA REGINA, blue, double, large, fragrant. WHITE CZAR, a white form of Czar.
V. altaica (Altaian). fl. yellow, large; sepals acute, denticulate; spur scarcely as long as the appendages of the sepals; stigma urceolate. March to June. l. oval; stipules cuneate, with acute teeth. Stem short. Root creeping, slender, hard. Altaian Mountains, 1805. (B. M. 1776; B. R. 54; R. G. 1071.)
V. arenaria (sand-loving.) fl. pale blue, on short, axillary branches from a compact rosette; sepals acute; petals broad; spur short. May and June. l. orbicular-ovate, obtuse. Europe (Britain), &c. Plant small, tufted, pubescent, 2in. to 6in. in diameter. (Sy. En. B. 174 bis.)
V. biflora (two-flowered). fl. yellow, the lip streaked with black, small sepals linear; petals smooth; spur very short; stigma bifid. April and May. l. reniform, serrated, smooth; stipules ovate. Stem erect, about two-flowered. Roots creeping Europe, Siberia, &c., 1752. (B. M. 2089; F. D. 46.)
V. blanda (charming). fl. white, small, faintly sweet-scented; petals mostly beardless, the lateral ones veined with lilac; spur short. Early spring. l. round-cordate or reniform, minutely pubescent. Rootstock creeping. North America, 1802.
V. calcarata (spurred). fl. blue or white; sepals oblong, glandularly denticulate; spur awl-shaped, longer than the calyx. March to July. l. spathulate-roundish or elongated, crenate; stipules palmatifid or trifid. Stems short, simple, tufted. Root fibrous, diffuse. Austria, 1752. A very variable species.
V. c. albiflora (white-flowered). fl. white, large. l., stipules cut, scarcely ciliated. Stem short. (R. G. 1028.)
V. c. Halleri (Haller's). fl. blue, large. Otherwise like V. c. albiflora. (R. G. 1028.)
V. canadensis (Canadian). fl., petals white or whitish inside, the upper ones mostly tinged with violet beneath, the lateral ones bearded; spur very short; stigma beakless. May to August. l. cordate, pointed, serrated; stipules ovate-lanceolate, entire. h. 1ft. to 2ft. North America, 1783. (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 62.)
V. canina (canine). Dog Violet. fl. blue, lilac, grey, or white, 1/2in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter; sepals narrow, acuminate; spur obtuse; style clavate, hooked. April to August. l. long-petiolate, crenate-serrate, narrow ovate-cordate. Europe (Britain), &c. Very variable in size, habit, and colour of flower. (F. D. 2646.)
V. c. lactea (milky). fl. grey; petals narrow, the spur very short. l. ovate-lanceolate, rounded or cuneate at base. Rootstock short, without runners. Plant very slender. (Sy. En. B. 176, under name of V. lactea.)
V. c. persicaefolia (Peach-leaved). fl. pale lilac or white; spur very short. l. oblong-lanceolate, truncate at base; upper ones narrower. Rootstock long, with runners.
V. capillaris (capillary). fl. pale blue; lateral petals densely bearded; spur short, obtuse, greenish; pedicels axillary, solitary, slender, four to six times as long as the leaves. May to August. l. petiolate, ovate or ovate-oblong, 1/3in. to 2/3in. long, obtuse at base, cuneate-decurrent, slightly acute at apex, the margins remotely glandular-serrated. Stems many, tufted, decumbent, leafy. Chili. (F. d. S. 983.)
V. cornuta (horned).* fl. pale blue; sepals awl-shaped; spur awl-shaped, elongated and abrupt at the base. May to July. l. cordate-ovate, crenate, ciliated; stipules obliquely cordate, toothed, ciliated. Stems ascending, diffuse. Root fibrous. Switzerland and Pyrenees, 1776. Plant tufted. (B. M. 791.) B. H. 1871, 9, represents one of the numerous large-flowered garden forms, called PERFECTION.
V. cucullata (hooded).* fl. deep or pale violet-blue or purple, sometimes nearly white or variegated with white; lateral, and often the lower, petals bearded; spur short and thick; stigma slightly beaked or beakless; scapes 3in. to 10in. high. Early spring. l. long-petiolate, erect, cordate, with a broad sinus, varying to reniform and dilated-triangular, smooth or more or less pubescent, the sides at the base rolled inwards when young, obtusely serrated. Rootstocks thickly toothed. North America, 1762. A very variable species. (B. M. 1795; S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 298.) There is a variegated form in cultivation.
V. c. palmata (palmate-leaved). l. variously three to seven cleft or parted, or the earlier ones entire on the same plant. (B. M. 535, under name of V. palmata.)
V. dentata (toothed). A synonym of V. sagittata.
V. erlocarpa (woolly-fruited). A form of V. pubescens.
V. flabellata (fan-like). A synonym of V. pedata.
V. flabellifolia (fan-leaved). A synonym of V. pedata. V. hederacea (Ivy-like).* fl. blue, rarely white, usually small, but sometimes 3/4in. broad; petals glabrous, or the lateral ones slightly pubescent inside; spur reduced to a slight concavity. July. l. reniform, orbicular, or spathulate, usually less than 1/2in., but in very luxuriant specimens 1in. to 1 1/2in., broad, entire or toothed. Australia, 1823. Plant tufted, half-hardy. (H. E. F. iii. 225; L B. C. 1133.) SYNS. Erpetion hederaceum, E. reniforme (S. B. F. G. 170).
V. hirta (hairy). fl. inodorous or faintly scented; spur long and hooked; bracts lower on the peduncle; anther spurs lanceolate. April to June. l. narrower and more triangular, with deeper crenatures and a shallower sinus; hairs of petiole more spreading. Otherwise like V. odorata. Europe (Britain), &c. (Sy. En. B. 172.)
V. lactea (milky). A form of V. canina.
V. lanceolata (lance-leaved). fl. white, small; petals beardless, the lower ones veined with lilac. Early spring. l. lanceolate, erect, blunt, tapering into a long-margined petiole, almost entire. Rootstock creeping. North America, 1759. (L. B. C. 211; S. B. F. G. 174.)
V. montana (mountain-loving). fl. white, at length bluish; spur conical, truncate, straight, greenish, shorter than the sepals; stigma papilose, slightly reflexed. May to July. l., lower ones cordate, upper ones ovate, acute; petioles margined; stipules oblong, toothed or incised. Stem simple, erect. h. 1ft. Europe and Siberia, 1683. (B. M. 1595.)
V. m. Ruppii (Ruppius'). l. cordate or lanceolate. Stems procumbent. (A. F. P. iii. 25 and L. B. C. 686, under name of V. Ruppii.)
V. Munbyana (Munby's).* fl. violet or yellow, large, one to three from the lower axils; spur straight, nearly twice exceeding the calyx; peduncle erect, long-exceeding the leaves. Spring. l. ovate-cordate, obtuse, obtusely crenate, glabrous, or the margins slightly ciliated. Stems procumbent. Algiers. A pretty species. lutea is a yellow-flowered form.
V. odorata (odorous).* Sweet Violet. fl. blue, white, or redpurple, fragrant; lateral petals with or without a tuft of hairs; spur nearly straight, short, obtuse; anther spurs linear-oblong; style hooked; stigma oblique; bracts about the middle of the peduncle. March to May. l. deeply cordate at base, the sinus closed; stipules glandular; petioles deflexed-hairy. Rootstock short, scarred, with very long runners. Europe (Britain), &c. (B. M. PI. 25; Sy. B. 171.)
V. o. alba (white). fl. white.
V. o. pallida-plena (pale double). Neapolitan Violet. fl. pale lavender, double, very sweet-scented.
V. o. permixta (confused). fl. pale, scentless. Runners not rooting.
V. o. sepincola (hedge-loving). fl. dark, scentless. Runners rooting. More hairy than the type
V. palmata (palmate). A Variety of V. cucullata.
V. palustris (marsh-loving). fl. white or lilac, 1/2in. in diameter, scentless; sepals obtuse; lateral petals almost glabrous; spur short, obtuse; stigma obliquely truncate. April to July. l. cordate-reniform, slightly crenate, enlarging after flowering; stipules glandular. Rootstock white, scaly, subterranean, creeping; runners short, leafless. Europe (Britain), &c. (Sy. En. B. 170.)
V. pedata (pedate-leaved).* fl. usually bright blue, sometimes pale or even white, very large; petals all glabrous, the spur very short: stigma large and thick, margined, obliquely truncate. May and June. l. pedately about seven-parted, firm; leaflets linear-lanceolate, entire or incisely three-toothed at the summit, sometimes very narrow and laciniate; stipules ciliated. Rhizome thick. North America, 1759. See Fig. 198. (A. B. R. 153; B. M. 89; F. M. 350; L. B. C. 536; S. B. F. G. 69). SYNS. V. flabellifolia (L. B. C. 777), V. flabellata (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 247).
V. p. atropurpurea (dark purple). fl. dark purple; pistil pubescent. l., segments cuneate, incised. (F. d. S. 1361; R. G. 1110, f. a.)
V. p. bicolor (two-coloured).* A very handsome variety, with the two upper petals deep violet, and, as it were, velvety, like a Pansy.
V. pedunculata (pedunculate).* fl. deep yellow, large; petals broadly obovate, the two upper ones with conspicuous claws, the lateral ones bearded at the base; spur very short; peduncles twice or thrice as long as the leaves. Spring. l. rhombic-ovate, scarcely 1in. long, rather thick, coarsely and obtusely toothed, abruptly narrowed at base. California, 1856. Half-hardy. (B. M. 5004; F. d. S. 2426.)
V. praemorsa (bitten). fl. yellow, rather large; lower petal veined with brown, emarginate; spur very short; peduncles mostly shorter than the leaves. Spring. l. ovate-lanceolate, repandly denticulate or nearly entire; stipules entire. Stems erect, short. North America, 1828. Plant usually densely hirsute. (B. R. 1254.)
V. pubescens (downy). fl. yellow, the lower petals veined with purple; spur extremely short. Spring and early summer. l. very broadly cordate, toothed, somewhat pointed; stipules large, ovate or ovate-lanceolate. Stems simple, erect, naked below, two to four-leaved above. h. 6in. to 12in. North America, 1772 Plant softly pubescent. (L. B. C. 1249; S. B. F. G. 223.)
V. p. eriocarpa (woolly-fruited). A stout and more pubescent variety, 1ft. to 2ft. high, with woolly pods. (B. R. 390; S. B. F. G. 102, under name of V. eriocarpa.)
V. pyrolaefolia (Pyrola-leaved). fl. yellow; sepals acuminate; petals densely bearded within; spur short, obtuse; stamens emarginate at apex. January. l. ovate, sometimes loosely cordate; stipules fringed at apex. Patagonia, 1851. (F. d. S. 665.)
V. Riviniana (Rivinus). A form of V. sylvatica.
V. rothomagensis (Rouen).* fl. bright blue, the side petals and lip striped with black; spur tubular, obtuse, shorter than the sepals; bracts near the flower, lanceolate, with a tooth on each side. April to August. l. ovate, the lower ones somewhat cordate, crenate, fringed; stipules pinnatifid, rather lyrate. Stems zigzag, branched, diffuse. Root rather fusiform. France and Belgium, 1781. Plant hispid or pilose. (B. M. 1498.)
V. rotundifolia (round-leaved). fl. yellow; lateral petals bearded and marked with brown lines; spur very short. Early spring. l. round-ovate, cordate, slightly crenate, 1in. broad at flowering time, increasing in the summer to 3in. or 4in., then lying flat on the ground, shining above. Rootstock creeping. North America, 1800.
V. Ruppii (Ruppius'). A variety of V. montana.
V. sagittata (arrow-leaved). fl. purple-blue, rather large; lateral, or occasionally all, petals bearded; spur short and thick; stigma beaked. Spring and early summer. l. on small and margined, or the later ones on naked, petioles, varying from oblong-cordate to hastate, sagittate, oblong-lanceolate, or ovate, denticulate, sometimes cut-toothed near the base. North America, 1775. Plant smoothish or hairy. (L. B. C. 1471.) SYN. V. dentata (L. B. C. 1485).
V. s. emarginata (emarginate). fl., petals emarginate or bi-dentate. l. almost triangular, lacerate-toothed near the base.
V. Selkirkii (Selkirk's). fl. pale violet; spur very large, almost as long as the petals, thickened at the end. Spring and early summer. l. round-cordate, crenate, 1/2in. to 1 1/4in. long, minutely hairy above, and having a deep, narrow sinus; petioles (and scapes) 1in. to 2in. long. Rootstock filiform, fibrous-rooted. North America, 1873. A small and delicate plant. (R. G. 752.) SYN. V. umbrosa.
V. striata (striated). fl. cream-coloured or white; lateral petals bearded, the lower ones striped with purplish lines; spur rather thick, much shorter than the petals; stigma beaked. April to October. l. cordate, finely serrated, often acute; stipules large, oblong-lanceolate, strongly fringed-toothed. Stems angular, ascending, 6in. to 10in. high. North America, 1772.
V. suavis (sweet). Russian Violet. fl. pale blue, white at the base, sweet-scented; sepals obtuse; four upper petals narrowest, the lower one emarginate, the two lateral ones with a hairy line; stigma hooked, naked. March to May. l. reniform-cordate, crenate, pubescent. Stolons long, creeping and rooting. Tauria, 1820. (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 126.)
V. sylvatica (sylvan). Wood Violet. fl. bluish-purple or lilac, on axillary branches from a radical rosette; base of sepals much produced in fruit; spur short, broad, compressed, furrowed, usually pale. March to July. l. broadly ovate-cordate; stipules lanceolate, acute, fimbriated or toothed. Rootstock short. Europe (Britain). Plant glabrous.
V. s. Reichenbachiana (Reichenbach's). fl. paler, smaller, and earlier than in the species; spur longer; sepals scarcely produced in fruit. (Sy. En. B. 174.)
V. s. Riviniana (Rivinus').* fl. bluish-purple or lilac, scentless, 5/8in. to 1in. across; petals obovate-oblong, the lowest much broader than the others; peduncles long, with two small bracts. Late summer. l., lower ones as broad as (or broader than) long; upper ones a little narrower than long. (Sy. En. B. 173, under name of V. Riviniana.) V. tricolor (three-coloured).* Heartease; Pansy. fl. 1/4in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter; sepals with large auricles; petals purple, whitish, or golden-yellow, sometimes particoloured; stigma capitate, excavated. May to September, l. long-petiolate, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long, lyrate, coarsely and remotely crenate-serrate; stipules 1/3in. to 1/2in. broad. Stem 4in. to 18in. long, branched, erect or ascending, angular, flexuous. Rootstock none. Europe (Britain), &c. See Fig. 199. (Sy. En. B. 178.) In addition to the two most popular names above mentioned, the following are applied to this species: Call-me-to-you, Fancy, Flamy, Garden Gate, Herb Trinity, Jump-up-and-kiss-me, Kiss-me, Kiss-me-at-the-garden-gate, Live-in-idleness, Love-in-idleness, Pink-of-my-John, Three-faces-under-a-hood, Tickle-my-fancy.
V. t. arvensis (field-loving). fl. white or yellowish; petals usually shorter than the sepals, or wanting. Stem elongated, branched. (Sy. En. B. 179.)
V. t. Curtisii (Curtis'). fl. blue, purple, or yellow; petals spreading, rather longer than the sepals. Rootstock branched, stoloni-ferous, tufted. (Sy. En. B. 180.)
V. t. lutea (yellow). Mountain Vine. fl. blue, purple, or yellow; petals spreading, much longer than the sepals. Rootstock branched. Branches slender, with short stems and underground runners. (Sy. En. B. 181.)
V. umbrosa (shade-loving). A synonym of V. Selkirkii.
V. variegata (variegated-leaved). fl. pale violet; spur cylindrical, straight, as long as the sepals. May and June. l. cordate-ovate or roundish, violaceous below, obscurely green above, white at the veins, and rather hispid (in fruit-bearing plants large and almost glabrous); stipules lanceolate, denticulated. Root rather hard, sub-divided. Dahuria, 1817. (R. G. 1852, 20.)