red-flower violet (Viola phalacrocarpa) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Red-flower violet is an East Asian wildflower with reddish-purple flowers and short hairs on its leaves and flower stalks. The narrow pouch behind the flower and the part that develops into the fruit are hairy, which helps distinguish it from similar violets.

Appearance

Growth form: This is a small stemless , with leaves and flower stalks rising together from the base.
Leaves: The egg-shaped leaves have a shallow heart-shaped base and short hairs.
Flowers: The flowers are reddish purple with darker veins. Short hairs occur on the side petals, the outer leaflike parts at the flower’s base, the seed-forming part, and the slender .
Fruit: The oblong seed capsule is covered with fine hairs.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: sunny hillsides
Range: Its native range extends from the southern Russian Far East through Korea and Japan to Manchuria and Inner Mongolia.

Name and classification

About the name: Some botanists include Seoul violet (Viola seoulensis) in this species, while others treat it as separate.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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