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Manchurian Violet💜
Viola mandshurica
スミレ
A small perennial that blooms with purple flowers in spring. Commonly found along sunny roadsides and in grasslands. The violet genus includes about 50–60 species in Japan and is notoriously difficult to identify. The flowers have a spur that stores nectar. In addition to open flowers in spring, the plant also produces cleistogamous (self-pollinating) flowers that set fruit underground from summer to autumn.
Identification Points
- ✓Purple five-petaled flower with white hairs (beard-like) on the lateral petals
- ✓A nectar-storing spur extends from the back of the flower
- ✓Leaves are triangular-ovate to elongated-triangular with serrated margins
- ✓Basal leaves arise directly from the ground (no stem leaves)
Habitat
Roadsides, grasslands, embankments, and sunny sites
Season
March–May (flowers)
3D Specimen Model
Kyushu University, Shikano Lab (CC0)
View on Sketchfab→Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Growth form
Herb
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Flower color
Purple
Flowering season
Spring
Habitat
Roadside
Phylogenetic Positionスミレ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Malpighiales > Violaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene
Evolution Notes
The violet family evolved a unique reproductive strategy of cleistogamy (self-pollination in closed flowers), ensuring reliable fruit set even in poor weather.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification