VIOLACE^. 79 



V. rotundifoUa. Mx. Ground Violet. Has large, broad- 

 ovate and cordate, thick leaves, of a bright-green, with yellow 

 flowers on a very short stem, often scarcely raising them above 

 the leaves of woods ; an early species, blooms in April. 



V. acuta. Big. Has ovate, ' smooth, crenate leaves, rather 

 obtuse ; petals ovate, acute, white, with the odd petal purple at 

 base ; very small ; April and May, in moist grounds. Big. 

 Boston and Amherst. 



There are 3 other stemless species, sagittata, Ait., lanceo- 

 lata, L., hlanda-) W., of even less consequence. 



Of the caulescent, or having a stem, are the following : 



V. Canadensis. L. "Woods Violet. Stem a foot or more 

 high, erect, with broad-cordate, serrate, acuminate leaves, slightly 

 pubescent along the nerves ; spur short ; flowers large, blue, 

 pale inside ; grows in woods and fields ; May. 



V. pubescens. Ait. Large Yellow Woods Violet. Stem 

 towards a foot high, erect, with broad-ovate, cordate, toothed 

 leaves ; whole plant villous-pubescent ; middle-sized yellow 

 flowers ; woods ; May. 



V. rostrata. Muhl. Beaked Violet. Stem 4-6 inches high, 

 erect, diffuse ; leaves smooth ; cordate, acute, serrate ; large pale- 

 blue flowers, with a long spur ; hills and woods ; May. 



V. tricolor. L. Garden Violet. Is the species commonly 

 cultivated in gardens, so beautiful and so various in its 3-colored 

 flowers ; introduced from England. When propagated by cut- 

 tings or from seed in very rich soil, its flowers increase in size, 

 and have far more splendid colors. 



V. odorata. L. Sweet-scented Violet. A stemless species, 

 with creeping scions ; stems smoothish ; calyx obtuse ; dis- 

 tinguished for its fine odor, its early flowers, and variously 

 colored petals ; many varieties have risen from cultivation ; 

 a native of the woods and hedges of Europe, far less common 

 than the preceding in our gardens. 



