Viola hederacea

Ivy-leaf or Native Violet

Perennial herb rooting at leaf nodes and by underground stems forming a dense mat. Flowers held erect above leaves

Additional information

• FamilyViolaceae
• StoreyLower storey
• SizeProstrate-17 cm x 1-2 m
• Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
• LeavesRosettes of dark green kidney-shaped to semicircular leaves 15-20 mm x 20-30 mm, dull greyish-green below; tip rounded, margin obscurely toothed.
• Flower colourWhite with pale violet centres
• Flowering timeMost of the year, esp June to March
• FlowersSingle flowers on stalks 6-17 cm high. Lower petal wedge-shaped, 3 indistinct veins down the centre, crossed by branching side veins, tip usually notched, colours blurred. Side petals weakly twisted, beard over less than half width.
• Bird attractingNo
• Butterfly attractingNo
• Frog habitatYes
• Growing conditionsVery widespread in dryish to moist well drained soils in forests. Partial sun to full shade.
• Garden useExcellent ground cover for moist areas forming a dense mat. Useful in ferneries, as a ground cover in cottage gardens in containers & hanging baskets.
• Commercially availableGenerally. Plants in general nurseries rarely local. Many plants sold as V. hederacea are actually the more vigorous V. banksii from NSW.
• Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
• Aboriginal Use Food - flowers
• Related speciesVery similar to Viola cleistogamoides which is smaller. Petals are cream with a purplish tinge in the centre, and 2-3 mm long (cf 7-10 mm) on stalks shorter than leaves, to 25 mm. Leaves are longer than broad, rhombic and tapering to stalk. Bright, large-flowered plants available commercially are misnamed. They are usually V. banksii from NSW.

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