Identifying Violets

Several species of Violets are now in full bloom and can sometimes all get mistaken as Common Dog violets (Viola riviniana). Not a particularly nice name for a pretty purple flower! There are 4 other species which you will be likely to come across on your walks in nature at this time of year. Here I will cover characteristic features to help with identifying them. Violets are a key food source to several of the Fritillary butterflies including the Dark Green Fritillary, Silver Washed Fritillary and High Brown Fritillary.

–Common dog Violets (Viola riviniana)

Common dog violets are perhaps the most commonly encountered and widespread of the violet species. They flower early in the season from April-June and can be found in quite a wide variety of habitats including woodland, grassland, hedgerows and even gardens. The flowers are a light purple in colour and are unscented. They are very similar to Early dog violets but the ‘spur’ at the back of the flower is much paler in colour than that of the Early dog violet.

–Early dog Violets (Viola reichenbachiana)

Early dog violets like their name suggests flowers at the beginning of spring, usually in march but in mild winters sometimes before. They are an indicator species for ancient woodland and are often found in woodlands and hedgerows, preferring shady spots. Like the common dog violet their flowers are purple and unscented, but the ‘spur’ at the back of the flower is much darker in colour.

–Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)

Sweet violets are characteristically scented, which is ones of the best ways to distinguish them from other species. Their colour is a slightly richer deeper purple tone and you can find them generally in woodlands where they like damp shady spots. Sometimes sweet violet flowers can come in a pure white variation as well. 

–Hairy Violet (Viola hirta)

Hairy violets look very similar to Common dog violets but they prefer living on chalk grassland than in woodlands. As their name suggests their leaves and stems are covered in fine grey blue hairs.

–Heath dog Violet (Viola canina)

Flowering in May-June the Heath dog violet is one of the later flowering of the viola species. It’s flowers are a pale blue in colour compared to the other species purple colouring.

There are several other species in the Viola genus found in the UK including ‘Heartsease’ Wild pansies, Sand pansies and Field pansies.

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Izzi da Silva

Assistant Warden (Seaton Wetlands)