Wild Pansy, also known as Heartsease, Johnny Jump Up, and Love-in-Idleness
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Violaceae, Genus: Viola, Species: V. tricolor · Violaceae (Violet family) · Simple, deciduous herbaceous plant part
Species
Viola tricolor
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous herbaceous plant part
Family
Violaceae (Violet family)
Shape
Ovate to elliptical or lanceolate with rounded teeth
Size
Approximately 1 to 2 inches long, typical for pressed herbarium specimens of this species
Margin
Crenate to serrate with rounded or shallow teeth along the edges
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the stem with prominent leafy stipules
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Pressed specimen showing muted olive green to dark green foliage and bright yellow petals, typical of dried Viola flowers and leaves
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation with a prominent central midrib and branching secondary veins
Texture & Surface
Smooth and glabrous, flattened due to the pressing and drying process
Description
A charming pressed specimen of a small herbaceous plant featuring characteristic yellow pansy-like flowers and simple, toothed leaves attached to a slender stem
Key Features
Distinctive yellow corolla, rounded leaf margins with crenate teeth, and prominent leaf-like stipules at the base of the petioles
Habitat
Found in cultivated beds, grasslands, meadows, and disturbed waste ground, preferring well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun
Geographic Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, widely naturalized across temperate regions of North America
Condition Notes
Dried and pressed herbarium specimen secured with transparent adhesive tape across the lower stem and leaves; good preservation of overall morphology
Interesting Facts
Heartsease has a long history in herbal folklore and was believed to be an ingredient in love potions, referenced in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Medicinal & Uses
Historically used in traditional herbal medicine to treat skin conditions, respiratory issues, and rheumatism; flowers are edible and often used as cake decorations
Ecological Role
Serves as a host plant for the larvae of various fritillary butterflies and provides early-season nectar for native pollinators
Similar Species
Other wild violet species such as Viola arvensis (Field Pansy) which typically has smaller, less showy pale yellow or whitish flowers
Foraging Tips
Look for low-growing plants in grassy fields or garden edges during spring and summer; harvest flowering tops carefully for culinary or medicinal use
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic. The flowers and leaves are generally considered safe for human consumption in moderate amounts
Notes
There is tesa on the flower which is reflecting light