kingdom Plantae - plants »  divisio Magnoliophyta - flowering plants »  class Rosopsida - eudicots » order Malpighiales »  family Violaceae »  tribus Violeae > genus Viola > Viola sect. Melanium  Ging. 

Viola palmensis (Webb & Berthel.)

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Synon.:  Mnemion palmense Webb & Berthel.

Description: V. palmensis is an herbaceous and long-lived perennial species. It is related to Viola cheiranthifolia from Tenerife (National Park of El Teide), being the first one larger and with a longer and thinner side shoots. Individuals of V. palmensis, like those of other Viola species can be maintained in a population for a long time as a result of the perennating root system 

Distributional Range: Native Africa MACARONESIA: Spain [Canarias: La Palma  ] Viola palmensis is one of three endemics of the genus Viola in the Canaries; its populations are found near the National Park of Caldera de Taburiente.

Habitat: it occurrs at high altitudes (1800-2400 m)

Note: This species is commonly named the summit pansy due to its occurrence at high altitudes. Viola palmensis was catalogued as vulnerable by the IUCN and the Regional Catalogue of Threatened Species from the Canaries (BOC 2010), in recognition of its distribution being restricted to La Palma Island. The main threat for this species is the predation by introduced herbivores, as arruis, goats and rabbits. A reduction of the individuals has been estimated in the last decades. 

References:

1. Bramwell, D. & Z. Bramwell. 1974. Wild flowers of the Canary islands. Note: lists as Viola palmensis Webb & Berthel.

2. Izquierdo Z., I. et al., eds. 2004. Lista de especies silvestres de Canarias: hongos, plantas y animales terrestres

3. Lems, K. 1960. Floristic botany of the Canary islands. Note: lists as Viola palmensis Webb & Berthel.