Rhizomatous perennial herb; stems decumbent to ascending. Leaves alternate, sometimes closely so, but not strictly tufted; lamina ovate-circular, 10–45 mm long, 10–35 mm wide, sparsely covered in hairs, base cordate, apex obtuse to shortly acuminate, margins broadly toothed to creanate; petiole 1–8 cm long; stipules adhering to petiole at base, lanceolate, c. 1 cm long, fimbriate. Flower-scapes 2.5–6 cm long, glabrous; bracteoles above middle. Sepals lanceolate, 7–12 mm long, acute, basal appendages prominent, enlarging in fruit; petals 10–14 mm long, blue-violet, lower petal obovate, with spur c. 5 mm long, sometimes shallowly notched at apex. Capsule ovoid, 7–10 mm long. Seeds ovoid, c. 2 mm long, yellowish-brown. Flowers c. Dec.
VVP, GipP, HSF, HNF, VAlp. Also naturalised NSW, ACT. Native to Europe and northern Africa.
Confirmed as naturalised only in Sherbrooke Forest near Melbourne and at Nareen in western Victoria, but probably a casual garden-escape elsewhere.
Source:
Entwisle, T.J. (1996). Viola. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 82–84. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
