2. Solea. Sepals not auricled. Petals equal in length. Stamens united into a sheath.
3. Ionidium. Sepals not auricled. Petals very unequal. Filaments distinct, the anthers merely connivent.
1. VÌOLA, Tourn. Violet. Heart's-ease.
Sepals extended into ears at the base. Petals somewhat unequal, the lower one spurred at the base. Stamens closely surrounding the ovary, often slightly cohering with each other; the two lower bearing spurs which project into the spur of the corolla. Besides these conspicuous blossoms, which appear in spring, others are produced later (especially in the stemless species), on shorter peduncles or on runners, usually concealed under the leaves; these never open nor develop petals, but are fertilized in the bud, and are far more fruitful than the ordinary blossoms. (The ancient Latin name of the genus.)
§ 1. Perennials; stipules never leaf-like, the lower more or less scarious.
[*] Stemless, the leaves and scapes directly from a rootstock or from runners.
[+] Stigma large, naked, not beaked; stolons none; rootstock short and thick.
1. V. pedàta, L. (Bird-foot V.) Nearly smooth; rootstock erect, not scaly; leaves all 3–5-divided, or the earliest only parted, the lateral divisions 2–3-parted, all linear or narrowly spatulate, sometimes 2–3-toothed or cut at the apex; flower large, 1´ broad, pale or deep lilac-purple or blue.—Sandy or gravelly soil, New Eng. to Minn., and southward.—Var. bícolor, Pursh, a very handsome variety, with the two upper petals deep violet, and as it were velvety, occurs sparingly from Mass. to Md.; most common in N. J., on shale.
[+][+] Stigma small, naked, often beaked or pointed.
[++] Rootstock fleshy and thickened, never filiform nor producing runners; flowers violet or purple (rarely white); lateral petals bearded.