Viola (plant)
A large genus of flowering plants, including violets and pansies.
Viola, commonly known as violets, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Violaceae. Many species, varieties, and cultivars are grown in gardens for their ornamental flowers, with the term pansy used for multi-colored large-flowered cultivars raised annually or biennially from seed.
- scientific_name
- Viola
- family
- Violaceae
- type_genus
- Violaceae
- common_representatives
- dog violets, sweet violet (Viola odorata), pansies
Lore & Background
Viola species can be annual or perennial, and can take the form of herbs, shrubs or very rarely treelets. The flowers are strongly zygomorphic with bilateral symmetry, formed from five petals; four are upswept or fan-shaped and one broad, lobed lower petal points downward. The flowers have five free stamens, and after flowering, fruit capsules are produced that dehisce by three valves, sometimes ejecting seeds several meters. The genus includes dog violets, a group of scentless species, and sweet violet (Viola odorata), named from its sweet scent. One characteristic of some Viola is the elusive scent of their flowers; along with terpenes, a major component is a ketone compound called ionone, which temporarily desensitizes the receptors of the nose.
Reader's Guide
(violets, 75 species). The genus has a long history of cultivation for ornamental flowers, with pansies being multi-colored large-flowered cultivars used extensively in bedding. The flowers exhibit a wide range of colors from white to yellow, orange, blue, violet, or multicolored. The elusive scent of some species, caused by ionone that temporarily desensitizes nasal receptors, is a notable phytochemical characteristic. Viola's legacy includes its role as the type genus of Violaceae and its extensive hybridization, which continues to challenge taxonomic resolution.
Did You Know?
- Some Viola species are perennial, some are annual, and a few are small shrubs.
- The scent of some Viola flowers includes ionone, a ketone that temporarily desensitizes nasal receptors.
- After flowering, Viola fruit capsules can eject seeds several meters by force.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Viola (plant)?
Viola is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Violaceae, best known as the source of what people commonly call violets. It is the biggest genus within that family and includes familiar species such as the sweet violet (Viola odorata) and the dog violet.
What is the difference between violets and pansies within Viola?
Both fall under the same genus, but the word "pansy" refers specifically to large-flowered, multi-colored cultivars that are usually grown as annuals or biennials from seed. True violets, like Viola odorata, tend to be smaller and often behave as perennials.
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