The Veld Violet is a member of the Acanthus family – Acanthacae which have simple opposite leaves and seeds borne on hardened hook-like funicles (a threadlike stalk attaching an ovule or seed to the wall of the ovary). This perennial plant has lilac-to-purple flowers which have a funnel shaped corolla with 5 similar lobes and 4 stamens. There is a darker purple streak running through each lobe. The flowers are mostly solitary and are ± 2.5cm in diameter.
The sessile leaves are hairy, with a short petiole, and have an ovate shape. The margins are entire and may be cordate at the base (Heart-shaped, with the petiole or stem attached to the cleft). The plants have stems branching from a woody base and can reach a height of between 20 – 40 cm.
The fruit is club shaped and becomes a rusty brown colour as it ripens.
I discovered this Veld Violet growing on the hill in the rocky grassland area to the east of our home when Tony used a brush-cutter to create a path through a very thorny, prickly area of vegetation so that we could access a granite outcrop. This outcrop nestles on the west facing hillside next to the house in a grove of Lowveld Chestnuts (Sterculia murex) which we aptly named Chestnut Rock.
A little whimsy: Ember Beamdancer
She brings light and enlightenment. She lives where fireflies mate and breed. She can only be seen when the bees swarm and the crickets chirrup. She wears dresses that glow with fiery colours and has bright lemon coloured wings like a cicada.
HeatherTon Wild Flowers 
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