Common dog-violet, Viola riviniana

Viola riviniana, commonly known as dog violet, is a perennial flowering plant native to Eurasia and Africa. It belongs to the Violaceae family and is found in various habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and shady hedge banks.

Physical Characteristics:

Flowers: The flowers are typically violet-colored, hence the name. They have five petals with a distinct spur at the back. The flowers bloom from April to June.
Leaves: The leaves are heart-shaped and dark green, growing in a rosette pattern at the base of the plant.
Height: Dog violet grows to a height of about 10 cm (4 inches).

Habitat and Distribution:

Habitat: Dog violet thrives in well-drained soils and can be found in a variety of environments, including woodlands, meadows, and hedgerows. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun.
Distribution: This species is widespread across Europe, including Britain, and extends to parts of Asia and Africa.

Other Information:

Pollination: Dog violet is primarily pollinated by bees and butterflies.
Symbolism: It was voted the county flower of Lincolnshire, England in 2002.
Similar species: Dog violet is often confused with the sweet violet (Viola odorata), but it lacks the sweet fragrance of the latter.
Etymology: The name "dog violet" is thought to have originated from the fact that the plant was considered worthless compared to the sweet violet, which was valued for its scent.

Ecological Importance:

Dog violet is a valuable food source for various insects, including butterflies and moths.

It plays a role in maintaining biodiversity in its habitats.

Please note that this information is a general overview of Viola riviniana. More specific details may vary depending on the location and growing conditions.

Wild Violet, Viola

Wild violet, known scientifically as Viola, is a genus of flowering plants in the Violaceae family. It is notable for its diversity, comprising over 680 species, most of which are found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with some species also present in Hawaii, Australasia, and the Andes. Wild violets exhibit a wide range of growth habits, including perennial and annual plants, and even a few shrubs​​.

These plants are recognized for their heart-shaped or reniform (kidney-shaped) leaves, which are often scalloped, and their distinctive zygomorphic flowers with five petals that display a variety of colors from white to yellow, orange, blue, and violet. The flowers are known for their bilateral symmetry and solitary nature, although they can occasionally form cymes. One interesting feature is that the flowers of many Viola species have a spur on the lower petal, which is a key identifying characteristic​​.

Wild violet (Viola sororia) specifically, is native to North America, spreading from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. It is a herbaceous perennial that forms a small basal rosette of leaves and blooms with dark purple flowers in the early spring. The flowers have a unique white inner throat and are known to attract ants, which help in seed dispersal. This symbiotic relationship with ants is an example of the plant's evolutionary adaptations. Wild violets can spread through both seeds and rhizomes, and if left unchecked, they can form large colonies​​.

The plant has historical medicinal uses by Native Americans and early settlers and is known for its edible qualities. Both the young leaves and flowers are edible and high in vitamins A and C. They can be used in salads, as garnishes, or to make tea. However, it's important to ensure that no chemicals have been sprayed on the plants before harvesting them for consumption​​.

Wild violet tends to grow in shady areas but can spread to sunnier spots under favorable conditions. While beautiful in bloom, the flowers typically wilt and die off with the onset of summer heat. Due to their ability to freely self-seed, they can sometimes be considered weedy in certain growing conditions​