860B-2-Viola-eminens-fl-Marilyn-Gray.jpg

Viola eminens

Stately Violet

Perennial herb suckering to form mats, leaves either on shortened stems forming rosettes or along lengthened stems, flowers held above the leaves.

Additional information

  • SynonymSeparated from V. hederacea
  • FamilyViolaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size40 cm x spreading
  • Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
  • LeavesBright green broadly kidney-shaped leaves 12-15 mm x 25-35 mm wide, base straight or broadly notched, margins coarsely toothed.
  • Flower colourBright violet and white with white tips
  • Flowering timeAugust to December
  • FlowersSingle flowers on erect flowering stems to 25 cm high. Lower petal egg-shaped, 3 distinct veins down the centre, side veins branching outwards, tip notched, colours strongly contrasting. Side petals strongly twisted, beard over more than half width.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatYes
  • Growing conditionsMoist soil in montane forests. Semi shade to full shade.
  • Garden useAttractive ground cover for moist areas, amongst pavers and in ferneries.
  • Commercially availableNo information available
  • Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
  • Aboriginal Use Food -flowers
  • Related speciesViola hederacea can be distinguished by the more semicircular leaves which can be darker above, the lower petal is broader at the tip, the 3 veins less obvious with other veins crossing them; colours tend to be paler and less sharp.
Photographer/s: 1 Neville Walsh, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 2, 3 Marilyn Bull ©

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