Japanese name: ナガハシスミレ（長嘴菫） Scientific name:Viola rostrata
[Overview]
A violet found in deciduous woodland and grasslands, a perennial 7–20 cm tall.
It has several aerial stems.
The leaves are basal, on petioles 2–5 cm long, heart-shaped and 2–5 cm long; the upper surface is slightly glossy and the underside is tinged with purple.
The leaf margins have low wavy teeth.
The stipules are pinnately divided.
The flowers are borne at the tips of upright flower stalks that rise from among the basal leaves or from the leaf axils; they are about 1.5 cm across and reddish purple to pale purple.
The center of the lip petal is white with dark purple streaks.
A spur longer than the petals extends behind the flower, and nectar collects there.
The fruit is a capsule that splits into 3 when ripe and scatters the seeds.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by 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).
