Japanese name: オオタチツボスミレ（大立壷菫） Scientific name:Viola kusanoana
[Overview]
A perennial 15–25 cm tall, found in moist places in forests and at forest edges in the mountains.
It has a thick underground stem that extends sideways.
It has several aboveground stems and reaches 40 cm in height at the fruiting stage.
There are basal leaves and leaves arranged alternately on the stem; they are round heart-shaped, 3–5 cm long, with a heart-shaped base.
The leaves are soft, and the upper surface is depressed along the veins.
The leaf margins are wavy, with wavy serrations.
The stipules are shallowly pinnately divided.
The flowers are borne at the tips of flower stalks emerging from partway up the stem; they are 2 cm across and pale reddish purple to pale magenta, with the center of the lip petal white with purple streaks.
The base of the lateral petals has no hairs.
Behind the flower is a thick white spur 0.6–0.8 cm long.
The fruit is a capsule that splits into 3 when ripe and scatters the seeds.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by stem cuttings, or by division.
It prefers partial shade and well-drained soil rich in humus.
It is easy to grow, but powdery mildew may occur.
Pests include aphids, spider mites, cutworms and the Indian fritillary (Tsumaguro-hyomon).
