Garden Pansy, Viola, Horned Violet
Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Malpighiales > Violaceae > Viola > Viola cornuta · Violaceae (Violet family) · Simple, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial often grown as an annual.
Species
Viola cornuta (or Viola × wittrockiana hybrid)
Leaf Type
Simple, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial often grown as an annual.
Family
Violaceae (Violet family)
Shape
Ovate to spatulate or lanceolate, with prominent leaf-like leafy stipules at the base of the petiole.
Size
Approximately 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 - 6 cm) long, and 0.5 to 1 inch wide, consistent with standard Viola species.
Margin
Crenate to coarsely serrate with rounded teeth along the margin.
Arrangement
Alternate along low-growing, sprawling or mounding stems.
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Vibrant medium-to-dark green upper surface, slightly lighter green underneath; uniform color with bright golden yellow five-petaled flowers interspersed throughout.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation with a clear central midrib and subtle lateral veins branching outward.
Texture & Surface
Smooth to slightly puberulent (finely hairy), matte finish, thin to slightly fleshy texture.
Description
This lush container planting features bright yellow Violas accompanied by evergreen foliage. The foliage consists of rich green, crenate-edged leaves interspersed with vibrant five-petaled yellow blooms with small dark center markings. The plant forms a dense, low-growing cushion or mound.
Key Features
Distinctive rounded-toothed (crenate) leaves, leafy divided stipules at the leaf bases, spur-bearing five-petaled zygomorphic flowers in brilliant bright yellow.
Habitat
Prefers cool, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Common in garden borders, rock gardens, containers, and hanging baskets.
Geographic Range
Viola cornuta is native to the Pyrenees mountain range in Europe; horticultural varieties are widely cultivated globally across temperate regions.
Condition Notes
Good to Excellent health; foliage shows vibrant green coloration with minimal browning, free from obvious powdery mildew or leaf spot damage, with abundant active blooming.
Interesting Facts
Violas are prized cold-hardy flowers that can survive light freezes and continue blooming into late fall and early spring. The flowers are completely edible and widely used to garnish salads, desserts, and cocktails.
Medicinal & Uses
Popular ornamental garden plant; flowers are edible and used fresh or candied in culinary arts. Historically used in herbalism for mild respiratory or skin ailments due to saponins and mucilage.
Ecological Role
Provides early and late-season nectar for bees, hoverflies, and butterflies when few other plants are in bloom. Larval host plant for various fritillary butterfly species (Argynnis spp.).
Similar Species
Viola tricolor (Johnny Jump-Up) which typically has smaller, multi-colored flowers; Viola × wittrockiana (Large-flowered Garden Pansy) which has larger leaves and broader, blotched flowers.
Foraging Tips
Look for cool-weather container displays or rock gardens. Ensure plants harvested for edible flowers have not been treated with systemic pesticides or chemical fungicides.
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic to mildly non-toxic. Flowers and leaves are generally safe for human consumption in moderate amounts, though roots and seeds contain higher concentrations of saponins that can cause minor upset if ingested in bulk.