Violet

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

in botany, the typical genus of Viclaceæ. Low herbs, more rarely shrubs, with radical or alternate leaves or flowers; on one, rarely on two-flowered peduncles; calyx of five sepals, extended at the base; petals five, unequal, the under one spurred at the base; base; anthers connate, two of them spurred behind ; The fourth, with capsule of three elastic valves; seeds ovoid or globose. Known species 100; from temperate countries . Five of the most familiar are native in temperate Europe and America: Viola palustris , the marsh; V. odorata , the sweet; V. hirta, the hairy; V. canina, Gerard's or the dog violet; and V. tricolor , the pansy violet, pansy, or heart'sease. The first has a subterranean creeping rootstock, glabrous stems, reniform cordate leaves, and white or lilac scentless flowers. The second has broadly cordate leaves , and fragrant blue, white , or reddish purple flowers; found in woods, pastures, or on banks. The third, with faintly scented flowers, is found chiefly in the E. of England and Scotland, and parts of North America. broadly cordate leaves, ciliate dentate stipules, and blue, lilac, gray, or white flowers, is common in woods, dry pastures, clefts of rocks, and banks; and the fifth, having flowers variegated , purple, white, and yellow, is frequent on banks and in fields. The bruised leaves of V. tricolor smell like peach kernels ; they were once believed to be efficacious in the cure of skin diseases. The petals of V. odorata are used as a laxative for children. The seeds have similar qualities , and the root is emetic and purgative. V. ovata is a reputed antidote to the poison of the rattlesnake. V. serpens, a small procumbent, Himalayan herb, yields an oil. The flowers are considered diaphoretic and laxative , the seeds diuretic and emetic.