Viola hederacea|Ivy-leaf or Native Violet

Cardinia indigenous plant guide

Description
Perennial herb rooting at leaf nodes and by underground stems forming a dense mat. Flowers held erect above leaves
Size (W x H)
Prostrate-17cm x 1-2m
Leaves
Rosettes of dark green kidney-shaped to semicircular leaves 15-20mm x 20-30mm, dull greyish-green below; tip rounded, margin obscurely toothed.
Flowers
Single flowers on stalks 6-17cm high. Lower petal wedge-shaped, 3 indistinct veins down the centre, crossed by branching side veins, tip usually notched, colours blurred. Side petals weakly twisted, beard over less than half width.
Flower colour
White with pale violet centres
Flower time
Most of the year, esp June to March
Growing conditions
Very widespread in dryish to moist well drained soils in forests. Partial sun to full shade.
Commonly used for
Excellent ground cover for moist areas forming a dense mat. Useful in ferneries, as a ground cover in cottage gardens in containers & hanging baskets. Bright, large-flowered plants available commercially are misnamed. They are usually V. banksii from NS
Available at indigenous nursery
Attracts frogs
Photo gallery
Acknowledgement
Thank you to Shire of Yarra Ranges for assistance in compiling this directory