Violet confusion

[Hornbeam]

Can someone put me right on these violets? Size shape and colour seem different to me. Would I be right in identifying the first photo as that of a dog violet and the other two as sweet violets? Many thanks.

[goosey]

I'm almost positive you are right with no1 - a Dog Violet - V.Canina,
but am unsure about the other two.

[mrs fish]

You need to sniff them The sweet violet smells and the dog violet doesn't.
Also the sweet has a basal leaf rosette, the dog has paler spurs, the white ones you see will be sweet violets.

Something has eaten all mine in the front garden

[Tiggrx]

First is Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) the other two Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)

[Hornbeam]

Yayy - I woz right !

[CloudedYellow]

I have a violet that I would like to id please.

Is there enough information viewable in this image?



Could I ask the difference between the Dog and Sweet Violet photos please - they look the same to me - I can't spot the difference!

Thank you

Richard

[CloudedYellow]

I think I can answer my own question

Here is a close view of one of the sepals



which appears blunt suggesting that this is a Sweet Violet - I must go back and smell it on Sunday!

Richard

[aeshna5]

The broad heart-shaped leaves are typical for Sweet Violet. If you sniff it you will smell it, then you won't. It contains a compound called ionine which briefly desensitises your sense of smell, but don't worry it doesn't last!

[CloudedYellow]

Thanks aeshna5,

Now that you point it I can see the difference in the petal shape.

Richard

[Robert Mileham]

We have wild white Violets I think. It seems that there are lots of other white ones in North America. Are these Native English?

Picture can be found here: Dorset Sculpture


I tried to put a picture up here but my security software is blocking it! I will try and get in fixed in future.