Marsh violets

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Marsh violets
Marsh violets (Viola palustris) - flowers and leaves

Marsh violets ( Viola palustris ) - flowers and leaves

Systematics
Eurosiden I
Order : Malpighiales (Malpighiales)
Family : Violet family (Violaceae)
Subfamily : Violoideae
Genre : Violets ( viola )
Type : Marsh violets
Scientific name
Viola palustris
L.
Blossom of a swamp violet
Marsh violets - lithograph

The swamp violet ( Viola palustris ) is a species from the genus of violets ( Viola ).

morphology

The marsh violet is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches heights of between 3 and 10 centimeters. An above-ground stem is missing, but the basal leaves are 1 to 5 cm long stalked. The stems are seldom slightly winged at the tip. The round to kidney-shaped leaves are 2 to 5 cm long and 2.5 to 5.5 cm wide. They are bald, notched to dentate on the edge and light green in color. The leaves are often rolled up lengthways, with veins clearly visible on the underside. The stipules are about ¼ as long as the stem of the associated leaf. They are often skin-white with very short fringes on the edge.

The species blooms in May or June. The individual flowers develop on 4 to 10 cm long flower stalks that arise in the axils of the basal leaves. Each basal rosette develops 1 to 3 stems. The basic color of the flowers is pale purple. The flowers reach a diameter of up to 1.5 cm. The lateral petals are directed obliquely downwards and bearded on the base. The lowest petal is veined in dark purple. The spur is 3 to 5 mm long. The sepals are ovate with short rounded appendages. The seed ripens in a triple furrowed seed capsule and is dark brown in color.

Occasionally, in addition to the pale lilac plants, there are also occasional real albiotic white specimens, but no varieties can be derived from this.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 48.

distribution

The swamp violet needs wet, acidic, humus-rich, nutrient-poor, sandy-peaty or peaty-loamy soil. The species often inhabits flat and raised bogs , spring horizons and silting areas of lakes. The species has no occurrence in limestone areas and at altitudes above 2000 meters above sea level. In the Allgäu Alps in Bavaria, it rises on the southwest slope of the Riedberger Horn to an altitude of 1700 meters. The swamp violet is a character species of the Caricion fuscae association in Central Europe, but also occurs in societies of the Juncion acutiflori, Juncion squarrosi or Alnion associations.

The species is found in the western and northeast of the United States , Canada, Europe, the Azores, and Morocco. The population in Germany is declining, however, in Hesse the species has already been added to the warning list.

ecology

The swamp violet has roots up to 15 centimeters deep.

Medical benefit

The swamp violet has medicinal uses. The plant contains salicylic acid and a tincture or tea made from the plants can be given for various diseases. The leaves are rich in vitamin C and A . In addition, the plant is said to have a disinfectant and antimycotic effect.

literature

  • Dietmar Aichele, Heinz-Werner Schwegler: The flowering plants of Central Europe. Volume 2: Yew plants to butterfly plants. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-440-06192-2 , p. 274.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Erich Oberdorfer : Plant-sociological excursion flora for Germany and neighboring areas . With the collaboration of Angelika Schwabe and Theo Müller. 8th, heavily revised and expanded edition. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 2001, ISBN 3-8001-3131-5 , pp.  675 .
  2. ↑ Erhard Dörr, Wolfgang Lippert : Flora of the Allgäu and its surroundings. Volume 2, IHW, Eching 2004, ISBN 3-930167-61-1 , p. 229.
  3. ^ Viola in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), USDA , ARS , National Genetic Resources Program. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.

Web links

Commons : Swamp violets ( Viola palustris )  - album with pictures, videos and audio files