Australian violet facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Australian violet
Scientific classification
Genus:	Viola (plant)
Species:	hederacea

The Viola hederacea, also known as the Australian violet, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Violaceae family and grows naturally in Australia.

What is the Australian Violet?

The scientific name hederacea comes from Latin. It means "like ivy." This is because the leaves of the Australian violet look a bit like the leaves of Hedera plants, which are ivy. However, they are not closely related.

How to Identify Australian Violet Flowers

The flowers of the Australian violet are usually light in color. The bottom petal, when you look at the flower straight on, is widest near its tip. When the plant makes seeds, they are brown.

What Do the Leaves Look Like?

The leaves of Viola hederacea are quite special. They are shaped like a half-circle, about as wide as they are long. They are usually dark green on top and a lighter green underneath.

Where Does the Australian Violet Grow?

This small herb is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is very common in Victoria and Tasmania. You can also find it along the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales, as far north as the Barrington Tops area. It also grows in a small part of south-east South Australia, especially in the Adelaide Hills between Belair and Mount Lofty.

Can You Grow Australian Violets in Your Garden?

True Viola hederacea is not often grown in gardens. It is not as showy as another similar plant called Viola banksii. The Australian violet grows more openly and has less striking flowers. However, it is still an easy plant to grow if you want to.

Understanding the Difference: Viola hederacea vs. Viola banksii

Many plants sold as Viola hederacea for gardens are actually Viola banksii. For a long time, these two plants were thought to be the same species. But they have some key differences:

• Viola banksii has brighter colored flowers. Its bottom petal is almost perfectly round. Its leaves are also almost round with a deep dip.
• Viola hederacea has paler flowers. Its bottom petal is more egg-shaped. Its leaves are more kidney-shaped with a wide dip.