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Common Dog-Violet
Viola riviniana
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Common Dog-Violet is a small perennial violet of woods and shady edges, with blue, white‑centred spring flowers. It is widespread across much of Europe and often carpets forest floors, clearings and grassy margins.
Did you know?
- Its scientific name honours the German botanist August Quirinus Rivinus.
- The flowers are usually blue, but plants with all‑white flowers sometimes occur.
About the species
Identification
A low, tufted plant 10–25 cm tall. Stems and leaf stalks are usually smooth. Leaves are mostly from the base and on the stem, broad heart‑shaped, thin, bright green, with tiny nicks on the edge; at the base of each leaf stalk are narrow, long‑tipped flaps with many fine teeth. Flowers hang from leaf joints; 5 petals, deep blue with a white centre, about 1.4–2.5 cm across; at the back is a short, thick, often upward‑curving, blunt, pale pouch. Fruit is a small pod that splits into three. The short, pale pouch helps tell it from similar violets. Flowers in Finland in May–June.
Plant group
Herbaceous plants
Habitat
heath forest
Flowering
May–Jun
About the habitat
Grows in fresh to moist woods and groves, on meadows and along forest edges and paths. Prefers moderately rich, humus soils and light shade. Common in southern and central Finland, scarce north to about the Oulu area, absent from Lapland.
Sources
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viola riviniana kz19.jpg
Text: Pinkka: Laaja maatalouslajintuntemus 4 op - Koppisiemeniset, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38321
Text: Pinkka: Kasvitieteen retkeily Ahvenanmaalle - Nåtö ja Västerskog, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38321
Text: Pinkka (Luomus), CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38321
Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mets%C3%A4orvokki
