Running Violet.Viola canina, var. Muhlenbergii.Dog Violet.
Found in May and June in light woods and along shady roads.
The small, round, leafy stems, from 3 to 7 inches high, are at first upright, but later send out creeping branches; they are smooth, and pale green.
The small leaf is rounding, and heart-shaped at the base, sometimes slightly pointed at the tip; the margin is faintly notched, the surface smooth, and the color light yellowish-green. The leaves, on short stems, are arranged in pairs, with long-pointed wings at the joint.
The flower is small; its spur rather long, the two side-petals bearded, and the color of the corolla pale violet, running into white at the base of the petals, the lower one being marked with fine lines of dark Violet; the tips of the stamens are orange; the 5-parted calyx light green. The flowers are set on slender pale green stems, and rise from the angles of the leaves.
This charming and profusely flowering Violet is invidiously nicknamed “Dog” by the English, because it is scentless.