Violets (genus Viola) are flowers of the family Violaceae,
with around 400 species throughout temperate areas of the world. Most violets
are herbs found in moist and slightly shaded conditions such as hedgerows.
Violets are small perennial plants often with large heart-shaped leaves, which
flower profusely in spring. The genus includes the Sweet Violet (Viola odorata,
the common violet of the English countryside) and Dog Violet, and many other
species whose common name includes the word "violet". However it also includes
the garden pansies, their wild progenitor the heartsease Viola tricolor (a
European plant introduced into North America, where it has acquired the name
Johnny jump up because of the speed at which the flower grows), and a number of
similar plants native to North America, such as the Yellow Pansy of the Pacific
coasts.
The young leaves are edible raw or cooked as a somewhat bland leaf vegetable.
They are rich in vitamins A and C. The flowers can be used to decorate meals.
Flowers, leaves and roots are used for medical purposes. The plants are used as
food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Lesser
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.
One quirk of the violet is its elusive scent — along with terpenes,
a major component of the scent is a ketone compound called ionone, which
temporarily desensitises the receptors in the nose; sniff all you like, you
won't get any more smell from the flower!
In North America, there are several different species of wild violets. Some are
blue, some are yellow, white, or cream; some are even bicolored. In addition,
the shape of the petals defines more species; for example, some violets have a
"spur" on the end of each petal. The Common Blue Violet, Viola sororia, is the
state flower of Rhode Island, Illinois, and New Jersey.
Australia is home to a number of violets, including Viola hederacea and Viola
banksii, first collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on the Cook voyage
to Botany Bay.
African violets are not related to the true violets.
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