Water-violet (Hottonia palustris, Sp. pl. 1:145. 1753)

Family: Primulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:145. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hottonia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and N. Türkiye

Description

Water-violet, scientifically referred to as Hottonia palustris, is an intriguing aquatic plant belonging to the Primulaceae family. First described in 1753, this plant has captivated botanists and nature enthusiasts for centuries with its delicate beauty and ecological significance.

Water-violet thrives in a range of aquatic environments across Europe, extending its presence to Central Siberia and Northern Türkiye. Renowned for its graceful violet-blue flowers, Hottonia palustris elevates the aesthetic appeal of ponds, ditches, and slow-moving streams where it flourishes. The flowers are typically arranged in whorls around the stem, creating a striking contrast against the lush greenery of its finely divided, feathery submerged leaves.

This perennial plant prefers nutrient-rich waters and often forms dense, floating mats, providing essential habitat and shelter for aquatic wildlife. Water-violet is not only a visual delight but also plays a pivotal role in aquatic ecosystems by enhancing water quality and promoting biodiversity.

Historically, botanists have admired Hottonia palustris for its unique adaptations to aquatic life. Its morphological characteristics are a testament to its evolutionary journey, showcasing specialized features that enable it to thrive in submerged conditions.

Whether observed in its native habitats across Europe and into Asia or cultivated in artificial aquatic gardens, Water-violet continues to enchant those who encounter it. Its enduring presence across a vast geographic range underscores its resilience and ecological importance.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig vandrøllike, vandrøllike
Deu: europäische wasserfeder, wasserfeder
Eng: water violet, water-violet
Fra: hottonie des marais
Nor: vandfioler
Swe: vattenblink
Nld: waterviolier
Nob: vassblink
Nno: vassblink
Cym: fioled y dŵr, gwythdydd, gwythdydd y gors, pluddail y dŵr, pluddalen
En: Water-violet, Featherfoil, Water Violet
Be: Вадаперыца балотная
Bg: Блатна перушина
Cs: Žebernatka bahenní
Da: Almindelig Vandrøllike, Vandrøllike
Nl: Waterviolier, Vaterviolier
Et: Harilik vesisulg
Fi: Vesisulka
Fr: Hottonie des marais, Millefeuille aquatique, Millefeuille d’eau
De: Wasserfeder, Europäische Wasserfeder
Hu: Békaliliom
Ga: Cleiteán uisce
It: Erba scopina, Fertro
Lv: Purva sermulīte
No: Vandfioler
Nb: Vassblink
Nn: Vassblink
Pl: Okrężnica bagienna
Ru: Турча болотная
Es: Pluma acuática
Sv: Vattenblink
Cy: Pluddail y dŵr, Fioled y Dŵr, Gwythdydd, Gwythdydd y Gors, Pluddalen

Synonyms

• Breviglandium palustre ((L.) Dulac)
• Androsace aquatica (Clairv.)
• Hottonia palustris var. rosea (Gray)
• Hottonia millefolium (Gilib.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Ireland (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 18, 2019 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2020 by Carolin Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Gabor Graehn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2022 by nathalie williams (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2021 by Miro (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 15, 2019 by Adrien Murguet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by marja vanderbaan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2020 by Andreas von Imhoff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Іван (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Le Page Sally (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Aldis Niedols (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2009 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2022 by grutz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2021 by claire Felloni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1887 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 3, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4006551)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:701007-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hottonia palustris L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 5