Tall violet (Viola elatior, Novit. Fl. Svec., ed. 2: 277 (1828))

Family: Violaceae

Author: Fr.

Bibliography: Novit. Fl. Svec., ed. 2: 277 (1828)

Year: 1828

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Viola

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Xinjiang and W. Himalaya

Description

Tall Violet, scientifically known as Viola elatior, is a perennial herb that captures attention with its elegant stature and delicate violet blossoms. First classified and described in 1828 by noted botanist Elias Magnus Fries in “Novitiae Florae Suecicae”, this species belongs to the Violaceae family, a group well-regarded for their ornamental flowers.

Predominantly found across Europe, extending eastward to Xinjiang and the Western Himalayas, the Tall Violet thrives in a range of temperate climates and altitudes. This geographical span indicates the plant’s adaptability and resilience, growing in a variety of environments from lowland meadows to mountainous regions.

Viola elatior’s striking floral display is characterized by its tall, erect stems—distinct features that differentiate it from other members of the Viola genus. The flowers, with their hues of soft violet, not only add a touch of whimsy to natural landscapes but also play a role in local ecosystems, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

In cultivation, Viola elatior is valued for its aesthetic appeal and minimal maintenance needs, making it a favored choice for gardeners and landscape designers seeking to introduce a splash of color and elegance to garden beds and borders.

Documenting the widespread growth and historical context of the Tall Violet affirms its significance within the botanical world and appreciates its enduring beauty. The work of Fr. in 1828 laid the foundation for understanding this species, contributing to the broader knowledge of the rich diversity within the Violaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: hohes veilchen
Lav: augsta vijolite
Swe: storviol
Eng: tall violet
Nno: storfiol
Nob: storfiol
En: Tall Violet
Be: Фіялка высокая
Zh: 高堇菜
Cs: Violka vyvýšená
Nl: Hoog Viooltje
Et: Kõrge kannike
Fi: Kaitaorvokki
Fr: Violette élevée
De: Hohes Veilchen
It: Viola maggiore
Lv: Augsta vijolite
Lt: Aukštoji našlaitė
Nb: Storfiol
Nn: Storfiol
Pl: Fiołek wyniosły
Ru: Фиалка высокая
Sv: Storviol
Uk: Фіалка висока

Synonyms

• Viola fedtschenkoana var. muzaffarabadensis (W.Becker)
• Viola danubialis (Borbás)
• Viola pseudomontana (Błocki)
• Viola canina subsp. elatior ((Fr.) Wigand)
• Viola subpubescens (Borbás)
• Viola sylvestris subsp. turkestanica (W.Becker)
• Viola procera (Pall. ex Ledeb.)
• Viola hornemanniana (Schult.)
• Viola stipulacea (Hartm.)
• Viola fedtschenkoana (W.Becker)
• Viola canina var. montana ((L.) Fr.)
• Viola montana var. elatior ((Fr.) Regel)
• Viola flavicornis var. montana ((L.) Rupr.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (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.

Leaf

Taken May 26, 2020 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2022 by Thomas Andreef (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2021 by Marco Kropf (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2020 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2020 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 7, 2020 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2020 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2020 by Cornus mas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2018 by Manuel Diaz deDiego (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2020 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 8, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2020 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2022 by Thomas Andreef (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 21, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 14, 2019 by Matthieu Gauvain (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7707374)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:868097-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Viola elatior Fr.)

Specifications

Growth