Viola canina, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 274

20. V. canina L. , Sp. Pl. 935 (1753).

Arosulate (without a basal rosette of leaves). Stems 10-40 cm, decumbent, ascending or erect. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, usually cordate or subcordate, usually obtuse or subacute. Stipules dentate or subentire, shorter than petiole. Flowers 1-5-2-5 cm, blue or white. Spur white or greenish-yellow, equalling or up to three times as long as the rather conspicuous calycine appendages. Most o f Europe, but rarer in the south. All except Az BI Cr G r Si. Very variable. The 3 subspecies described below are sometimes given specific rank. 1 Procumbent or ascending; leaves less than twice as long as wide, cordate; median stipules less th a n i as long as petiole; flowers blue (a) subsp. canina 1 Erect; upper leaves twice as long as wide, subcordate; median stipules up to I as long as petiole; flowers blue or white

2 Plant up to 40 cm; petals broadly obovate; spur l|- 2 times as long as calycine appendages, straight (b) subsp. montana 2 Plant up to 20 cm; petals narrowly elliptical; spur 2-3 times as long as calycine appendages, curved (c) subsp. schultzii