Viola betonicifolia, commonly known as the Arrowhead Violet, Showy Violet or Mountain Violet, is a small perennial herbaceous shrub of the Viola, which contains pansies and violets. It occurs from India and Pakistan in southern Asia throughout eastern Australia and Tasmania. It grows in shaded habitat in forests.

Taxonomy

Viola betonicifolia was originally described by English botanist Sir James Edward Smith

James Edward Smith

Sir James Edward Smith was an English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society.Smith was born in Norwich in 1759, the son of a wealthy wool merchant. He displayed a precocious interest in the natural world...

 in 1817.

Description

This species is distinguished by long, slender arrow-shaped leaves grow from the base of the plant, which has no stem as such, and are up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long with a v-shaped sinus at the base, and are usually rather bright, fresh green. Its striking bright purple flowers are 1-1.5 cm in diameter and occur in spring and summer.
Flowers are followed by small pale brown pods with tiny blackish seeds.

Distribution and habitat

Viola betonicifolia is found in Tasmania and eastern mainland Australia from South Australia through Victoria and New South Wales, and into Queensland. It also occurs in Asia westwards to India and Pakistan. It grows in shady areas in forest.

Ecology

The caterpillars of the Laced or Indian Fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius

Argynnis hyperbius

The Indian Fritillary is butterfly of the Nymphalid or brush-footed butterfly family.-Description:Male: Upperside: fore wing rich orange-yellow, hind wing paler yellow, with the following black markings: Fore wing: cell with a basal short transverse streak, a medial broad oval loop, its outer...

) feed upon this plant, and the flowers are pollinated by the Large- or Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe

Eurema hecabe

The Large Grass Yellow or Common Grass Yellow is a small pierid butterfly species found in Asia or Africa. They are found flying close to the ground and are found in open grass and scrub habitats...

). Coastal swamps where Viola betonicifolia grows have been drained in New South Wales, endangering the status of the Laced fritillary in that state.

Cultivation

Viola betonicifolia is an easy plant to grow, and adaptable to different soil types as long as it get sufficient moisture and at least half shade or more in a garden situation. It is good for rockeries. It can be quite vigorous in heavier, moisture retentive soils and forms clumps to about 30 cm (12 in) diameter. It is self-seeding.