32 WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
Marsh Violet. (Viola palustris, Linn.) — As just described. Flowers about J inch 
across, drooping, solitary, on a leafless stalk from the root (scape) with 2 small bracts about the 
middle. Sepals 5, blunt ; petals 5, delicate lilac, veined with purple, the spur very short and 
blunt. Capsule oblong and smooth. The stem so short as to appear absent ; the leaves on long 
stalks from the root (radical), smooth, nearly round, kidney-shaped (reniform), and slightly 
scalloped (crenate), and the stipules lance-shaped and entire. \Plate 18. 
Common. Bogs. April — July. Perennial. 
Sweet Violet. (Viola odorata, Linn.) — Flowers |-§ inch across, drooping, solitary, on 
a leafless hairy stalk from the root (scape), with 2 small bracts about the middle. Sepals 5, blunt ; 
petals 5, deep purple, lilac or white, with a short, blunt, straight spur. Capsule round and 
downy. The stem so short as to appear absent, sending out long runners (stems which run along 
the ground, root, and form another plant) ; the leaves on long stalks from the root (radical), 
broadly heart-shaped (cordate), rounded at the top, scalloped (crenate) and downy ; and the stipules 
lance-shaped. Sweet-scented. This species of violet is largely cultivated for many reasons — for its 
beauty for decorative purposes ; for its use as a perfume and as a sweetmeat, when the flower is 
prepared in sugar it retains its scent ; and also for its use as a dye. [ Plate 1 8. 
Common. Banks, woods, etc. March — May. Perennial. 
Hairy Violet. (Viola hirta, Linn.) — Extremely like the Sweet Violet (Viola odorata), 
but with scentless flowers, hairy flower-stalks, with the 2 bracts nearer the base, violet or white 
petals, with a longer hooked spur, no runners, and narrower hairy leaves which are more pointed 
at the top. \Plate 18. 
Common. Chalky or limestone pastures. April — Tune. Perennial. 
Pale Wood Violet. (Viola silvestris, Reich.) — Flowers small on flowering branches, 
scentless. Sepals 5, pointed; petals oblong, narrow, deep lilac or purple, with about 5 simple 
purple veins at the base, the spur blunt, long, flattened, purple. The main stem evident but 
very short and not flowering, the side branches bearing the flowers, and being from 2 inches 
to even 1 foot long ; the leaves broadly heart-shaped (cordate), pointed at the top, smooth, 
and the stipules narrow and toothed. \Plate 18. 
Fairly common. Woods and hedgerows. May — July. Perennial. 
Dark Wood Violet. (Viola Riviniana, Reich.)— A very similar plant with larger 
flowers ; darker and broader purple petals, with a yellowish-white spur ; and broader leaves, 
heart-shaped. 
Very common. Woods, hedgerows, dry banks, etc. April — June. Perennial. 
Hill Violet. (Viola rupestris, Schmidt.)— Very similar to the Dark Wood Violet 
(Viola Riviniana), differing in having downy hairs on its young leaves, flower-stalks and capsules, 
and in the leaves being nearly round. 
Very rare. Pastures in Teesdale. May — June. Perennial. 
Dog 1 Violet. (Viola erieetorum, Schrader.)— Another similar plant to the Wood 
Violet (Viola silvestris), differing in having flowers on the main stem ; in the petals being bluish- 
purple or white, with the spur blunt, long, and yellow ; the leaves narrowly heart-shaped (cordate), 
and the stipules narrow, entire, fringed with hairs or toothed. \Plate 18. 
Not common ; abundant locally. Heaths, commons, sandy places. April — May. Perennial. 
Smith’s Dog 1 Violet. (Viola lactea, Sm.) — A very similar plant, with pale greyish-lilac 
petals, pointed egg-shaped (ovate) leaves which are not heart-shaped at the base ; and lance-shaped, 
toothed stipules. 
Rare. Turfy bogs. May — June. Perennial. 
