TtWa.] IX. VIOLACE^!. 51 



ing or erect, from a few inches to near a foot long. Leaves ovate- 

 cordate, varjing from nearly orbicular to broadly lanceolate, and pointed. 

 Flowers much like those of V. odorata, but usually paler, always scent- 

 less, and the sepals pointed. The complete flowers set their fruit more 

 frequently than in V. odorata, but yet the greater number of capsules 

 are produced by the later petalless flowers. 



Very common in a variety of situations, throughout Europe and 

 northern Asia. Abundant in Britain. Fl. spring and early summer ; the 

 petalless powers all summer. It varies much in size, in the shape of the 

 leaves, and in the mode of development of the flowering branches, and 

 has been divided into a number of species, which may be reduced to 

 three principal varieties, viz : 



a. V. pumila, Hook, and Arn. Usually only 2 or 3 inches high, the 

 flowering branches frequently perennial at the base, and the capsules 

 almost always obtuse, being produced by the petalless flowers. Grows 

 in open, dry, or sandy situations. 



b. V. sylvatica, Fries. Common Dog V. S.'x inches high or more ; the 

 flowering branches all lateral. Leaves ovate-cordate. Capsules often 

 pointed, and produced by the complete flowers. Hedge-banks and 

 thickets. V. liiviniana, Reichb. 



c. V. staynina, Kit. Flowering branches more erect than in the 

 common variety, often much longer, although sometimes short. Leaves 

 ovate-lanceolate, from one and a half to three times as long as broad, 

 and cordate at the base. Flowers very pale or white. Very luxuriant 

 on boggy heaths, dwarf near the seaside. Baker distinguishes two 

 British forms of this variety, V. staynina, with, and V. lactea, without 

 creeping stolons. 



6. V. tricolor, Linn. (fig. 126). Heartsease. A most variable plant, 

 but easily recognised by the branching stem, the large leaf-like stipules 

 deeply divided into several linear or oblong lobes, the central or terminal 

 one the largest, broadest, and most obtuse, and by the style thickened 



The plant is e 



at the top into an almost globular oblique stigma. The plant is glabrous, 

 or slightly downy. Leaves stalked, from narrow oblong to ovate or 

 cordate, always obtuse and slightly crenate. Flowers purple, whitish, 

 or yellow, or with a mixture of these colours ; the two upper pairs of 

 petals slightly overlapping each other, and usually more coloured, the 

 lower petals always broadest, and generally yellow at the base. 



On hilly pastures and banks, in cultivated and waste places throughout 

 Europe and Asia, and abundant in Britain, especially as a weed of culti- 

 vation. Fl.from spring till autumn. This is the most variable of all our 

 Violets, and has been divided into more than a dozen species. The fol- 

 lowing are the most prominent forms, which, however constantly different 

 they may sometimes appear, at others pass gradually into each other. 



a. V. arvensis, Murr., or Field Pansy. A slender annual, from 2 or 3 

 inches to 6 inches or a foot long. The lobes of the stipules and leave* 

 narrow ; the petals small, sometimes shorter than the calyx, pale yellow 

 nearly white, or the upper ones pale purple. A very common weed ol 

 cultivation. 



b. Garden Pansy. Larger than V. arvensis in all its parts, often bien 

 nial or perennial, with broader leaves. The terminal lobe of the stipule* 

 larger ; the petals much larger than the calyx, very variable in colour, 

 It sows itself readily, but is apt to degenerate into V. arventis. 



