Viola petraea

Scientific Name

Viola petraea W.Becker

Synonym(s)

Viola caviahuensis, Viola copahuensis, Viola petraea f. albida

Scientific Classification

Family: Violaceae
Subfamily: Violoideae
Tribe: Violeae
Genus: Viola

Etymology

The specific epithet "petraea (pet-RAY-uh)" means "that grows (or lives) in rocky places" and refers to the natural habitat of the species that grows on rocky outcrops.

Origin

Viola petraea is native to Argentina and Chile.

Description

Viola petraea is an attractive perennial plant with semi-succulent leaves arranged in a rosette. The leaves are green to olive-brown, imbricate, and tightly appressed to each other.

The flowers are white to lavender-blue and appear in a ring around the outer edge of the rosette in spring and early summer.

This species belongs to the group known as Rosulate Violas and is often confused with Viola columnaris and Viola cotyledon.

How to Grow and Care for Viola petraea

Rosulate Violas have a reputation for being difficult to keep alive. Therefore, cold conditions, soil containing adequate nutrients, and as much light as possible are essential.

Soil: They grow in relatively bare, loose soils, often volcanic in origin.

Hardiness: Viola petraea can withstand temperatures as low as 0 to 50 °F (-17.8 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 7a to 11b.

Propagation: Rosulate Violas are grown only from seed and with some patience.

The main problem with these plants is etiolation, caused by a lack of light, which elongates the compact rosettes. However, it is known that some of the seedlings will quickly etiolate while others will not. So, there is some scope in selecting Rosulate Violas that are more likely to grow satisfactorily in cultivation.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Rosulate Violas.

Toxicity of Viola petraea

Violas are nontoxic for humans and pets. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, fresh, cooked, or dried.

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