Viola banksii

Taxobox
name = "Viola banksii"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Violaceae
genus = "Viola"
species = "V. banksii"
binomial_authority = K.R.Thiele & Prober
binomial = "Viola banksii"

The well-known Native "Violet" ("Viola banksii") is sold and grown throughout garden nurseries and grown and loved in gardens around Australia, especially in the east. For many years it was known as "Viola hederacea", however the species complex was revised in 2004 by Kevin Thiele. Although the Native Violet was initially collected by Banks and Solander, the type specimen was either lost or not provided until a collection by Jacques Labillardière in Tasmania. He discovered that the original type specimen of "V. hederacea" collected by Labillardière was not the same as the hardier and showier plant later collected, cultivated and widely sold. This second form, native to the New South Wales coast from near Brisbane to Batemans Bay, he named "Viola banksii". This species is distinguished by its striking purple and white flowers. As well, the fully developed leaves are almost circular in outline with a deep, narrow, v-shaped sinus at the base, and are usually rather bright, fresh green.

Cultivation

"Viola banksii" is a very easy plant to grow, and adaptable to different soil types as long as it get sufficient moisture and at least half shade or more in a garden situation. It can be quite vigorous in heavier, moisture retentive soils and spreads forming a natural low groundcover. [cite book |title=Australian Native Plants for Rockeries and Ground cover |last=Hutchison |first=Frances|year= |publisher=Reed |location=Frenchs Forest, New South Wales |isbn=0-7301-0099-5 |pages=p. 36]

Cultivars

*"V." "Baby Blue"
*"V." "White Glory" has all-white flowers with a slight fragrance. [cite book |title=Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden |last=Elliot |first=Rodger |authorlink=Rodger Elliot |year=1994 |publisher=Lothian Books |location=Melbourne |isbn=0-85091-628-3 |pages=p. 44]

References

*
*

External links

*APNI | name = Viola banksii | id = 253201