Japanese name: フモトスミレ（麓菫） Scientific name:Viola sieboldii
[Overview]
A perennial that prefers slightly dry deciduous woodland and woodland edges from hills to mountains.
It has no aerial stem.
The leaves are basal, on long petioles, ovate to broadly ovate, 1–3 cm long, with low teeth on the margins.
The upper surface of the leaf has sparse hairs, and many plants have white blotches.
The underside is tinged with purple.
The flowers are borne at the tips of upright flower stalks that rise from the leaf axils; they are about 1 cm across and white to pale purplish red, with purple streaks in the center of the lip petal.
The bases of the lateral petals are hairy, and a short spur 2–3 mm long extends behind the flower.
Flower color varies.
The summer flowers are cleistogamous.
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).
