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

Viola indica W. Becker

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Common names: Indian Violet • Hindi: बनफ़्शा Banafsha ( also used for V. odorata) • Manipuri: Amo • Nepali: घट्टे घाँस Ghatte ghans  

Synon.: 

Description: Viola indica is  a perennial herb readily distinguished by its relatively large fragrant violet-blue flowers, up to 2 cm. The flowers have a stout hooked spur up to 1 cm. Leaves are broadly ovate-heart-shaped, with a pointed tip, and saw-toothed margin. Flowering: April-May 

Distributional Range: Native Asia-Temperate WESTERN ASIA: Afghanistan Asia-Tropical INDIAN SUBCONTINENT: India, [Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh] Pakistan

Habitat: Indian Violet is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to Himachal Pradesh, at altitudes of 1500-2400 m.  

References: 

1. Polunin, O. & A. Stainton. 1984. Flowers of the Himalaya

2. Sharma, B. D. et al., eds. 1993-. Flora of India.