Viola betonicifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Viola
Species:
V. betonicifolia
Binomial name
Viola betonicifolia
Synonyms[1]

Viola longiscapa (DC.) G.Don
V. phyteumifolia G.Don.

Viola betonicifolia, commonly known as the arrowhead violet, showy violet or mountain violet, is a small perennial of the genus Viola, which contains pansies and violets. It occurs from India and Pakistan in southern Asia throughout eastern Australia and Tasmania. It grows in shaded habitat in forests.

Taxonomy

English botanist Sir James Edward Smith was the first to describe Viola betonicifolia, giving it the common name "betony-leaved violet" in volume 37 of Rees's Cyclopædia in 1817. He noted that it was native to New South Wales.[2] Spelling it Viola betonicæfolia in Flora Australiensis, George Bentham recognised it as the senior synonym of Viola longiscapa (DC.) G.Don and V. phyteumifolia G.Don.[3]

Description

This species is distinguished by long, slender arrow-shaped leaves grow from the base of the plant, which has no stem as such, and are up to 6 cm (2.5 in) long with a v-shaped sinus at the base, and are usually rather bright, fresh green. Its striking bright purple flowers are 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) in diameter and occur in spring and summer.[4] Flowers are followed by small pale brown pods with tiny blackish seeds.

Distribution and habitat

Viola betonicifolia is found in Tasmania and eastern mainland Australia from South Australia through Victoria and New South Wales, and into Queensland. It also occurs in Asia westwards to India and Pakistan. It grows in shady areas in forest.[4]

Ecology

The caterpillars of the laced or Indian fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius) feed upon this plant,[5] and the flowers are pollinated by the large- or common grass yellow (Eurema hecabe). Coastal swamps where Viola betonicifolia grows have been drained in New South Wales, endangering the status of the laced fritillary in that state.[6]

Cultivation

The plant is adaptable to shade

Viola betonicifolia is an easy plant to grow, and adaptable to different soil types as long as it get sufficient moisture and at least half shade or more in a garden situation. It is good for rockeries. It can be quite vigorous in heavier, moisture retentive soils and forms clumps to about 30 cm (12 in) diameter. It is self-seeding.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Viola betonicifolia". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. ↑ Smith, James Edward (1817). "Viola". In Rees, Abraham (ed.). Rees's Cyclopædia. Vol. 37. London, United Kingdom: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown.
  3. ↑ Bentham, George (1863). "Sterculia". Flora Australiensis: Volume 1: Ranunculaceae to Anacardiaceae. Vol. 1. London, United Kingdom: L. Reeve & Co. p. 99.
  4. 1 2 Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District:An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, New South Wales: Kangaroo Press. p. 84. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.
  5. ↑ Braby, Michael F. (2005). The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. pp. 180. ISBN 0-643-09027-4.
  6. ↑ "Determinations".
  7. ↑ Hutchison, Frances (January 1986). Australian Native Plants for Rockeries and Ground cover. Frenchs Forest, New South Wales: Reed. pp. 97–98. ISBN 0-7301-0099-5.
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