Garden violet (Viola odorata, Sp. Pl.: 934 (1753))

Family: Violaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 934 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Viola

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to W. & N. Iran, NW. Africa

Description

The Garden Violet, scientifically named Viola odorata, is a charming and fragrant plant that holds a special place in the hearts of gardeners and plant enthusiasts. First described in Species Plantarum in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus (abbreviated as “L.”), this species has a long-standing history and widespread recognition.

Thriving primarily in regions spanning from Europe to western and northern Iran and northwestern Africa, Garden Violet is well-adapted to a variety of climates. Its ability to flourish in these diverse environments speaks to its resilience and versatility. The plant belongs to the Violaceae family, a group known for their delicate beauty and aromatic qualities.

Viola odorata is particularly celebrated for its sweet-smelling flowers, which typically bloom in early spring. The blossoms are often deep violet or white and are notable for their distinct, pleasant fragrance. This characteristic scent has made the plant popular in both horticulture and the perfume industry.

The Garden Violet is more than just a pretty flower; it also plays a role in ecosystems, providing nectar for various pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Its lush, heart-shaped leaves form a dense ground cover, making it a delightful addition to any garden, not only for its visual and olfactory appeal but also for its ecological benefits.

Whether cultivated in a garden or found growing wild in its native habitats, Viola odorata remains a symbol of natural beauty and enduring elegance. Its rich history and widespread cultivation underscore its significance as a beloved and important plant species.

Common Names

Eng: common violet, english violet, florist’s violet, garden violet, sweet violet, march violet, sweet blue violet
Lit: kvapioji našlaitė
Dan: marts-viol
Deu: märz-veilchen, wohlriechendes veilchen
Swe: luktviol, tuoksuorvokki
Est: lõhnav kannike
Nld: maarts viooltje
Nob: marsfiol
Nno: marsfiol
Lav: smaržīg
Fin: tuoksuorvokki
Por: violeta, violeta-de-cheiro
Fra: violette odorante
Ces: violka vonná
Cym: craith unnos, crinllys, crinllys aroglys, crinllys perarogl, crinllys pêr, esgidiau’r gog, fioled bêr, fioledau pêr, gwiolydd, meddyges wen, meddygyn, millyn, millyn aroglys, millyn glas, millyn gwyn, millynen
En: Garden violet, English violet, Florist’s violet, Common violet, Sweet violet, Aeppelleaf, Wood violet, Æppellēaf, March violet, Sweet blue violet, Marsh violet
Ab: Ааҵрахәшә
Af: Viooltjie
Ar: بنفسج عطري
Hy: Մանուշակ բուրավետ
Az: Ətirli bənövşə
Eu: Bioleta usaindun
Be: Фіялка пахучая
Bg: Горска теменуга, Миризлива горска теменуга
Ca: Viola boscana, Viola d’olor, Viola d’olor, Violer d’olor, Violeta
Zh: Xiang jin cai, 香堇菜
Kw: Melion melyseth
Cs: Violka vonná
Da: Marts-Viol, Martsviol
Nl: Maarts viooltje
Eo: Odora violo
Et: Lõhnav kannike
Fi: Tuoksuorvokki
Fr: Violette odorante, Violette
De: Duftveilchen, März-Veilchen, Märzveilchen, Wohlriechendes Veilchen, Märzviole, Wohlriechendes-Veilchen
El: Ίον το εύοσμον
He: סגל ריחני, סיגלית, סיגל ריחני
Hi: बनफ्शा
Hu: Illatos ibolya
Id: Bunga violet
Ga: Sailchuach chumhra
It: Viola mammola, Violetta, Mammola, Roseviole, Viola zopa
Ja: Nioi-sumire
Kk: Хош иісті шегіргүл
Lv: Smaržīg
Lt: Kvapioji našlaitė
No: Marsfiol, Viola odoráta
Nb: Marsfiol
Nn: Marsfiol
Oc: Violeta odoranta
Fa: بنفشه انگلیسی
Pl: Fiołek, Fiołek wonny
Pt: Violeta, Violeta-de-cheiro
Ro: Toporaş
Ru: Fialka, Фиалка душистая
Sd: بنفشہ
Sk: Fialka voňavá
Es: Dišeča vijolica, Vijolica, Alhelí, Viola común, Viola de olor, Viola olorosa, Violeta acopada, Violeta aromática, Violeta blanca, Violeta común, Violeta de jardín, Violeta de olor o común, Violeta de olor, Violeta doble, Violeta olorosa, Violeta purpúrea, Violeta verdadera, Violeta, Violetas, Violetones, Viroletas, Violeta fina, Viola odorata
Sv: Luktviol, Tuoksuorvokki
Zh-tw: 香堇菜
Zh-hant: 香堇菜
Tr: Kokulu menekşe
Uk: Фіалка запашна
Cy: Fioled bêr, Craith Unnos, Crinllys, Crinllys Aroglys, Crinllys Perarogl, Crinllys Pêr, Esgidiau’r Gog, Fioledau Pêr, Gwiolydd, Meddyges Wen, Meddygyn, Millyn, Millyn Aroglys, Millyn Glas, Millyn Gwyn, Millynen

Synonyms

• Viola taynensis (Elisafenko)
• Viola martii subsp. odorata ((L.) Schimp. & Spenn.)
• Viola gonzaloi var. semiglabra (Sennen)
• Viola hirta var. odorata ((L.) Fiori)
• Viola hirta subsp. odorata ((L.) Fiori)
• Viola odorata subsp. texidoris (Sennen)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Dec 20, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2019 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2019 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by Fred Renaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 18, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2021 by Lopez Francisco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 8, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2012 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2021 by Palo Rapos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 24, 2020 by Fernandez Cusachs Marc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2020 by Fernandez Cusachs Marc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2022 by Katalin Mészáros (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by Fabien Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5331181)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:868828-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Viola odorata L.)

Specifications

Growth