Viola 2019

[Gabriela]

Viola odorata taking over my lawn (with my blessing!);

What a beautiful sight!
There is a place I like to hike in the spring just for a carpet of V. odorata, escaped from a garden of course (luckily it's a neighbourhood trail, not in a wilderness area).

[ruweiss]

Viola chaerophylloides "Beni Zuri" is quite vigorus, flowers profusely
with a strong pleasant fragrance and sows itself - an ideal plant for early spring
flowering.

[Gail]

Lovely photo of a very attractive plant Rudi. Just wish we could smell it...

[Véronique Macrelle]

it is very beautiful, Rudy.
 I have a seed of this Beni (srgc)  that sprouts ... hope

[Gerdk]

Nice photo and beautiful plant - and one of the Japanese violets which seems to flower regularly!

Gerd

[ruweiss]

Thanks for your friendly comment, the seedlings from last year are also in full flower.

[Rick R.]

I got this from a Minnesota NARGS chapter plant sale about 20 years ago.  It was grown from seed from the NARGS Seed exchange as Viola sp.  It seeds around a bit, but doesn't seem to be too invasive.  First pic is in the shade lawn, it is about 10cm high. Second in a trough where it is 2.5cm, but can grow to be about the same size as the first pic.    To me, it looks just like the Viola alba that Gerd posted earlier in this thread.  But, I don't really know what to look for to differentiate species, and there could be similar species that I don't know.

Any help with an ID?

[Véronique Macrelle]

what a pretty Viola Rick!
maybe Gerd will know ...

[Gerdk]

I am for Viola alba - please look for the seed capsules which will occur later. If they are round, not explosive and not turning upwards it is Viola alba (without going into the subspecies range which is complicated).

Gerd

[Rick R.]

Thank you Gerd!  This is exactly what I am hoping for: a set of characteristics that will help me identify.   I will be watching this spring.

Any other tidbits anyone can add is appreciated.

[Gerdk]

These are

1. Viola reichenbachiana
2. Viola ambigua - which reappeared to my surprise in the sandbed
3. A pansy hybrid which is around here - parentage no longer comprehensible - I started with Viola hispida a   long time ago but after that this species ' met ' other violets of the pannsy type for sure

Gerd

[Véronique Macrelle]

V. recheinbachiana is in full bloom at home in the garden: it is our local violet. it is also very floriferous.

 the characteristics you describe for V. alba, do not they also apply to Viola odorata alba?

Viola 'Alice Witter' , (related with Viola sororia or Viola cucullata ?)

[Gabriela]

Viola chaerophylloides "Beni Zuri" is quite vigorus, flowers profusely
with a strong pleasant fragrance and sows itself - an ideal plant for early spring
flowering.

Fantastic specimen Rudi

[Gabriela]

I got this from a Minnesota NARGS chapter plant sale about 20 years ago.  It was grown from seed from the NARGS Seed exchange as Viola sp.  It seeds around a bit, but doesn't seem to be too invasive.  First pic is in the shade lawn, it is about 10cm high. Second in a trough where it is 2.5cm, but can grow to be about the same size as the first pic.    To me, it looks just like the Viola alba that Gerd posted earlier in this thread.  But, I don't really know what to look for to differentiate species, and there could be similar species that I don't know.

Any help with an ID?

Cute Viola Rick. I'm not a specialist but I found that also the stipules are many times important characters for Viola species ID.
If you can find a botanical description for V. alba then you may cross check one character; I would also press leaves/flower/stem, for just in case someone comes up later with other details.

[Rick R.]

Thanks, Gabriela.