Viola

L., Sp. Pl.: 933 (1753) & Gen. Pl., ed. 5: 402 (1754) Herbs or rarely subshrubs. Leaves alternate, peiolate; stipules entire to variously toothed or lobed, sometimes foliaceous. Flowers solitary, axillary, zygomorphic; pedicels with a pair of small bracteoles, generally above the middle. Sepals ± equal, usually with a short basal appendage. Petals unequal, the lowermost (the lip) usually larger, sometimes equal to or smaller than the other petals and with a short or long basal spur directed backwards. Stamens with very short free filaments and free or slightly coherent anthers; connective-appendages entire, generally oblong or ovate; lower 2 anthers each with an appendage extending into the spur and which excretes nectar. Ovary generally with numerous ovules; style usually deflexed downwards and thickened towards the tip. Fruit a loculicidal capsule with 3 contractile valves. Seeds usually smooth, with or without an aril.