asia IX, VIOLACES. 55 
ing or erect, from a few inches to near a foot long. Leaves ovate- 
cordate, varying 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 flowers 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.—Six 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. Riviniana, Reichb. ) 
c. V. stagnina, 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. stagnina, 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 
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 
Hurope and Asia, and abundant in Britain, especially as a weed of culti- 
vation. Fl. from spring lull 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, howeverconstantly 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 leaves 
narrow ; the petals small, sometimes shorter than the calyx, pale yellow, 
nearly white, or the upper ones pale purple. A very common weed of 
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 stipules 
larger ; the petals much larger than the calyx, very variable in colour. 
It sows itself readily, but is apt to degenerate into V. arvensis. 
