Sweet Violet - Viola odorata

Scientific Name: Viola odorata

English Name: Sweet Violet

French Name: La Violette odorante

5 Key Characters:

• the only scented violet in the area covered by this blog.
• flower spurs the same colour as the petals.
  
• flowers dark violet or white.
• broad glossy leaves that become larger in the summer.
• sends out rooting runners.
  

Lookalikes: Other Viola spp, e.g. Common Dog Violet V. riviniana, but none of them are scented.

Habitat: Hedgebanks, woods, scrub, usually on calcareous soils.

Flowering Period: March-April-May.

Status: Very common. Often a garden escapee.

More Info:
Post on Days on the Claise about Viola spp.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature: