64 VIOLACE^ 



of the species possess emetic and laxative properties similar to 

 those of Ipecacuanha. 



I. Viola (Violet). — Sepals 5, auricled at the base;/^/^/i- 5, 

 the lower one spurred ; anthers united into a tube, the two lower 

 furnished with nectariferous tail-like appendages, which are 

 enclosed within the spur of the corolla. (Name, the Latin name 

 of some fragrant flower.) Some species have two kinds of flowers, 

 one opening in spring, conspicuous, but yielding little or no seed ; 

 the other not opening (cleistogene) and often apetalous, produced, 

 on short peduncles, in autumn, and yielding abundant seed. 



Stipules S7nall. With cleistogene floivers 



1. V. paliistris (Alarsh Violet). — jRhizome creeping; leaves 

 heart- or kidney-shaped, quite smooth ; often purplish beneath ; 

 sepals obtuse ; petals delicate lilac, with darker veins ; spur very 

 short, obtuse. — Bogs ; common. — Fl. April — July. Perennial. 



2. V. odordta (Sweet Violet). — Rummers long ; leaves heart- 

 shaped, slightly downy, especially beneath ; petioles with deflexed 

 hairs ; flowers fragrant, deep purple, lilac, pale rose-colour, or 

 white ; bracts above the middle of the flower-stalks ; sepals obtuse ; 

 spur nearly straight, short, obtuse, inflated towards the end. One 

 of the most highly prized of all our wild flowers, unrivalled in 

 fragrance, delicacy, and variety of tinting, and doubly welcome 

 from its appearing early in spring. The flowers are sometimes 

 used as a laxative for children, as a sweetmeat, or as a chemical 

 test, being changed to red by acids and to green by alkalies. — Fl. 

 March, April. Perennial. 



3. V. hirta (Hairy Violet). — Pubescent, without runners ; leaves 

 heart-shaped, rough ; petioles with spreading hairs ; flowers scent- 

 less, pale violet or white ; bjxicts below the middle of the flower- 

 stalks ; sepals obtuse ; spur long, compressed, hooked, obtuse. — 

 Common on dry, especially calcareous, soils. — Fl. April — June. 

 Perennial. 



4. V. calcdrea (Limestone Violet). — Rhizome branched, thick, 

 woody, without runners ; leaves small, ovate, cordate, pilose, 

 enlarging but little after flowering ; flowers very small ] sepals 

 oblong-ovate ; petals narrow, the four upper ones resembling a 

 St. Andrew's cross, uniformly violet ; spur very short, straight, 

 conical, almost imperceptible. — Dry limestone pastures in the 

 south. — Fl. April — June. Perennial. 



5. V. silvestris (Pale Wood Violet). Stem distinct, without 

 rhizome or runners ; leaves heart-shaped, lanceolate, nearly 



