Skye Flora

Dog Violet


Viola riviniana

 

Viola riviniana

Photo © Carl Farmer
13 Apr 2003 Scorrybreac
21 mm across at widest

Common in woods, in short grass, on stony ground, including high in hills.

Flower diameter c 1.5 cm

Skye ID: Leaf-edge makes clear change of direction at tip rather than being perfectly rounded there as in Marsh Violet.  All leaves about as long as broad, never more than twice as long as in Pansies. Has basal non-flowering leaf-rosette with flowers arising on side-branches or from buds on roots.  This distinguishes it from Heath Violet (V canina, which may be found on Skye one day), but may be hard to see on poorly-formed plants.

Other features: Lower petal white at innermost end, with area of dark vertical veins just below this.  Flower has a long spur which is notched at the end.  Also produces cleistogamous flowers without petals or stamens.  Stipule-teeth hair-like, flexible and spreading out to the side (cf Heath Violet)

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Photo © Carl Farmer
2 May 2002 Portree
 

 
     
  Viola riviniana

Photo © Carl Farmer
13 Apr 2003 Scorrybreac
End of spur to tip of lowest petal 22 mm

 


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