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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 Viola canina, 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), and a number of
similar plants native to North America, such as the Yellow Pansy of the
Pacific coasts.
One quirk of the violet is its elusive scent - 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 sonoria, is the state flower of Rhode
Island.
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.
Reference
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