Wild Pansy help needed...

[flower_girl]

Hello,

Wondered if anyone could help me out with pansy identification. On the sand dunes I have found what looks like Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor) however I also saw on the net that there is a Dune Pansy (Viola tricolor spp. curtisii). And I'm just wondering how I can tell the difference?

I appreciate this many not be easily explained in words due to potential subtle differences between the plants, however if there is an easy way of explaining it could anyone help?

Thanks

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi flower_girl,

This is one of the many plants where certain ID of specific variety is difficult.

I've found the information below, which might help, but I'd be tempted to suggest that seeing as you found it on sand dunes, your plant should, (in theory), be more likely to be the Viola tricolor curtisii.

If you don't get an absolute ID, just log it down as Viola tricolor - (poss var. curtisii).

Regards
Mike.


Wild Pansy

Scientific name: Viola tricolor L.

Diagnostic features
Annual to perennial.
Stipules lobed ± to midrib, with narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate or narrowly obovate entire to crenate apical lobe.
Flowers 1-2.5(3.5)cm across, usually purple to violet or blotched with yellow, less often all yellow.
Spur 3-6.5mm.
Most pollen-grains with 4 pores.

Key to the subspecies:
a. Plant perennial, with stems creeping underground; corolla often less than 2cm vertically across; terminal segment of stipules distinctly wider than others, often slightly crenate.
....................................Viola tricolor curtisii.
b. Plant annual to perennial; creeping underground stems absent; corolla 10-25(35)mm vertically across; terminal segment of stipules entire to obscurely crenate, scarcely leaf-like.
...................................Viola tricolor tricolor

[JennyS]

Hi, there are photos and some info here......

Sand Pansy

[flower_girl]

Thanks guys.

I'll see if I can find it again, getting a bit late in the year I imagine (was a few weeks back I actually saw it), if not I'll have a look again next season.

Amazed at such a quick response! Much appreciated.