Plate 15.Viola Palmata.Drawn from Nature by M.R.Engraved by R. Havell Junr.
Plate 15.Viola Palmata.Drawn from Nature by M.R.Engraved by R. Havell Junr.
Plate 15.Viola Palmata.Drawn from Nature by M.R.Engraved by R. Havell Junr.
Palmate leaved Violet.
Class and Order.Pentandria Monogynia.
Root tuberous—leaves radical, on very long petioles, palmate, lobes deeply dentate—peduncles one flowered, radical, tinged with purple—calyx five segments linear acute—corolla blue lilac, paler on the under side, petals five, broad, obtuse, pencilled at the base with a darker shade, lower part of the middle petal terminating in a spur—stamens five, anthers obtuse—style slender, stigma globose.
Root tuberous—leaves radical, on very long petioles, palmate, lobes deeply dentate—peduncles one flowered, radical, tinged with purple—calyx five segments linear acute—corolla blue lilac, paler on the under side, petals five, broad, obtuse, pencilled at the base with a darker shade, lower part of the middle petal terminating in a spur—stamens five, anthers obtuse—style slender, stigma globose.
The genus Viola is a very numerous one, and can boast of many ornamental species—endless varieties are constantly raised from seed, chiefly of Viola tricolor, though these may at first vary, there is little dependance to be placed on them, as they frequently return to the original species; the number of distinct species, however, is very considerable, amongst which is the one figured; a desirable plant for the front of the borders where it will remain in beauty for a long time—it is a native of North America, and according to the Bot. Cab. p. 1471, grows on dry hills from New England to Virginia. Prof. Nuttall says in his genera of North American plants, vol. i. p. 147, "the genus Viola within its proper limits, is almost equally divided betwixt Europe and the temperate parts of North America." This species was first brought into this country in 1739, though still a scarce plant in our gardens:—the Violas are all well adapted for rock work, and flourish most in a light rich soil and shady situation. They may be increased either by parting the roots, by cuttings, or by seeds; the latter of which are produced in great abundance, and are dispersed by the peculiar elasticity of the capsule, which as soon as its contents are matured, ejects them with considerable force, sometimes to a great distance. Some of the most beautiful species are
Pl. 15.
Pl. 15.