Viola riviniana - Common Dog Voilet

There can be few wildflowers less well known than the violet, and yet they are not always so easy to spot. Violets have a habit of hiding among other vegetation beneath hedgerows.

Dog Violets bloom chiefly from March to May, but occasionally you will see them as early as February and as late as July. They spread by means of runners and are unscented.

The colours vary considerably from deep 'violet' to pale mauve.

There are several other species of violets. Sweet violets occur in the woods and they do have a scent. Whereas the Dog Violet is almost hairless, sweet violets have downy stems and leaves.

Wildflowers of Wales This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 1 - Woodland and Waysides. Sample pages... Order online... Order by post...