A large number of species, varieties and cultivars are grown in gardens for their ornamental flowers. In horticulture the term "pansy" is normally used for those multi-coloured, large-flowered cultivars which are raised annually or biennially from seed and used extensively in bedding. The terms "viola" and "violet" are normally reserved for small-flowered annuals or perennials, including the type species.
Viola odorata is a species of the genus Viola native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australia. It is commonly known as wood violet, sweet violet, English violet, common violet, florist's violet, or garden violet.
The sweet scent of this flower has proved popular throughout the generations particularly in the late Victorian period, and has consequently been used in the production of many cosmetic fragrances and perfumes. The scent of violet flowers is distinctive with only a few other flowers having a remotely similar odour. References to violets and the desirable nature of the fragrance go back to classical sources such as Pliny and Horace when the name ‘Ion’ was in use to describe this flower from which the name of the distinctive chemical constituents of the flower, the ionones – is derived. The leaves are edible and contain mucilage.
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Hi Nick,
ReplyDeletewonderful and intensive colors. So beautiful !
Best regards, Synnöve
Such beautiful color! Beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. Stunning blue colour.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at the leaves, are they family of the African violet?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteViolets are one of my favourites ,beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi! Nice capture. Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are just a fountain of interesting info! Did not know that leaves are edible, among other things. Fun!
ReplyDeletelove the colour!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, Nick! Looks a little bit like a smiling face ...
ReplyDeleteHello Nick,
ReplyDeleteI love these little violet flowers, a wonderful macro shot!
Have a nice weekend
regards
moni
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http://www.reflexionblog.de
Vibrant color. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely flower with a beautiful colour.
ReplyDeleteVery cute......
violets were my grandmother's favorite flower. Rachel Carson wrote a little poem about violets "who bends a knee where violets grow, a hundred secret things shall know"
ReplyDeletePretty purple petals!
ReplyDeleteSweet little found!!
ReplyDeleteHow tiny and delicate!
ReplyDelete