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Wild Pansy
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Wild Pansy

Viola Tricolor

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameWild Pansy
DescriptionCharming European wildflower treasured for its distinctive tricolor blooms combining violet, white, and golden yellow, inspiring countless common names including heartsease and Johnny-jump-up. Short-lived perennial or annual with long history in traditional herbal medicine, particularly for skin conditions like eczema and acne, as well as respiratory ailments. Self-seeds freely in gardens, naturalizing in lawns and borders, blooming spring through summer with cheerful faces that have captured imaginations for centuries, even appearing in Shakespeare's works.
FamilyViolaceae
GenusViola
TribeMelanium

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ☿ K5 C5 A5 G(3)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry), bisexual, 5 free sepals with appendages, 5 free petals (lower petal spurred), 5 free stamens with short filaments, 3 fused carpels with superior ovary typical of Violaceae

Features
  • Name 'Viola' from Latin for violet. 'Tricolor' means three-colored. 'Heartsease' refers to medicinal use for heart ailments and emotional comfort. 'Johnny-jump-up' describes self-seeding habit. Featured in Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as love potion ingredient
  • Distinctive tricolor flowers 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) across with 5 petals - typically upper 2 violet/purple, side 2 white/pale, lower 1 yellow with dark lines (nectar guides). Zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry). Blooms April-September. Slightly fragrant
  • Annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herb. Low-growing with branching stems. Heart-shaped to oval leaves with scalloped edges. Self-seeds prolifically. Cool-season plant that may go dormant in hot summers. Reseeds for continuous presence
  • Grows 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall with similar spread. Lifespan of 1-3 years depending on conditions. Propagated by seeds (self-sows readily) or division. Seeds need light to germinate. Can become weedy in lawns
  • Native to Europe and temperate Asia. Naturalized in North America, Australia, New Zealand. Found in meadows, pastures, waste ground, roadsides, gardens. Prefers disturbed areas. Indicator of old grasslands in Europe
  • Prefers full sun to partial shade (afternoon shade in hot climates). Needs moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Tolerates poor soil. Hardy zones 4-8. Cool-season plant - thrives in spring and fall, struggles in heat. Deadheading prolongs bloom
  • Traditional medicinal herb for skin conditions (eczema, acne, psoriasis), respiratory issues (bronchitis, asthma), and as anti-inflammatory. Contains salicylic acid, flavonoids, cyclotides. Edible flowers used in salads, desserts. Attracts bees, butterflies. Deer resistant
  • Excellent for cottage gardens, rock gardens, borders, containers. Self-seeds freely - can be invasive in lawns. Remove spent flowers to prevent excessive seeding or allow to naturalize. High doses may cause gastric irritation. Seeds can be purgative. Generally safe in moderation

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificViola Tricolor
English (Alternate)Viola Tricolor, Johnny Jump up, Heartsease, Field Violet, Trinity Herb, Love-in-Idleness
Hindiबनफूल (Banphool)
Tamilமுக்கண் மலர் (Mukkan Malar), ஊதா மலர் (Oothaa Malar)
Teluguవైల్డ్ పాన్సీ (wild pansy), హార్ట్సీజ్ (heartsease)
Malayalamവയല (Vayala), വിയോള (Viyola)
Kannadaಒಳ್ಳೆ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಹೂ (Olle Hudugi Hoo), ನಾಯಿ ಗುಲಾಬಿ (Nayi Gulaabi)
Sanskritप्राणशी (prāṇaśī), तसुन् (tasun), तुसुन् (tusun)
Bengaliপাঁচু ফুল (Panchu Ful), প্যাঁজি (Panji), বন্য গোলাপ (Bonyo Golap)
Frenchpensée sauvage
Russianанютины глазки (anyutiny glazki)
Spanishpensamiento
GermanWildes Stiefmütterchen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.