This is the violet that everyone notices on banks and in hedgerows. It will also grow in shade so could be confused with Viola reichenbachiana which flowers much earlier. Viola riviniana is such a versatile and hardy plant that I find it on mountain paths and ledges as well as in lowland areas and in almost any area of the British Isles. It is variable in habit and colour of flower but the sepal appendages are very long compared with other members of the Viola genus and the usually pale spur is another easily recognisable character.

Viola riviniana is not only one of the nation's favourite wild flowers but also one of the commonest in the British Isles. Because it doesn't mind hilly habitats it is present throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. It is also found on all the outer islands such as Orkney, Shetland and St. Kilda as well as the Channel islands and the Scillies.

Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet Coed Cilygroeslwyd, North Wales 16th April 2002 Previous   Next	Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet South Stack, Anglesey, 24th April 2002 Previous   Next
Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet	Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet

LHS: Guernsey 16th April 2005 RHS: Descent of Fraoch-bheinn, Scotland 8th June 2006

Added on 24th September 2004, amended on February 5th 2005, updated 24th February 2012