100 CLASS V. ORDER I. 



* Viola acuta. Acute Violet. 



Acaulis ; foliis oi-afis, glabris, petnlis aciitis, albis ; 

 hracteis jietala longitudhie subccqiiantibiis. 



Stemlcss ; leaves ovate, glabrous; petals acute, 

 white; bractes nearly as long as the petals. 



This is our smallest native violet, and after observing it for 

 several years I am satisfied that its characters are sufficiently 

 permanent to render it a distinct species. Among the other 

 white violets it is noticeable by its even and always acute petals, 

 and likewise well distinguished by its long linear bractes which 

 greatly exceed those of any similar violet. Root creeping. Sti- 

 pules linear subulate, sometimes a little ciliate-toothed. Leaves 

 ovate, smooth, crenate, rather obtuse. Petioles mostly smooth, 

 and shorter than the leaves, hardly winged, but in dry soils cili- 

 ate with reflexed hairs. Scapes four sided, supporting a pair of 

 linear-lanceolate, foliaceous, incurved bractes, which are nearly 

 as long as the petals. Calyx smooth, acute. Petals oval, re- 

 markably even or flat, and acute, the odd one obovate, striate 

 with purple at base, the lateral ones slightly striate, and rarely 

 bearded. Stigma capitate, rostrate. — Grows in Cambridge, par- 

 ticularly about the pine trees on Cragie's road, in moderately 

 damp soil. — May, June. — Perennial. 



Viola palmata? Willd. . Pohnatcd Violet. 



Stemless ; pubescent, leaves cordate, hastate-lobate 

 or palmate, the divisions toothed ; segments of the 

 calyx lanceolate, smooth. 



Root denticulate. Petioles hairy. Leaves pubescent, veiny, 

 with a long crenate, subacute middle lobe, and one or two lateral 

 lobes, the base cordate. The first leaves are simply cordate. 

 Stipules lanceolate, ciliate-serrate. Bractes linear, about as long 

 as the calyx. Flowers of a fine purple, the two lateral petals 

 furnished with a glandular beard, and nearly resembling those of 

 V. cucullata, from which this plant is possibly derived. — Up- 

 lands. — May, June. — Perennial. 



Viola pedata. L. Pedate Violet. 



Stemless ; leaves pedate, seven parted.. L. 



