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Viola hirta [Hairy Violet]


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Rørslett, B. 2013. Viola hirta L. (Violaceae). Hairy Violet. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...a-hairy-violet/

 

Viola hirta L.

NO: Lodnefiol

SE: Buskviol; luddviol

DK: Håret Viol

FI: Karvaorvokki

DE: Rauhhariges Veilche

EN: Hairy Violet

 

A small perennial violet native to Europe and Russia, V. hirta inhabits dry calcareous soils and is found along edges of deciduous forests and similar habitat where vegetation is low and scattered. It becomes scarce towards the North. Flowering commences in April or May and is short-lived. Later a taller summer foliage develops and thus V. hirta is typically found in spring surrounded by large, dead leaves.

 

Plants photographed in situ near Oslo, Norway 18 May 2013. The specimens were growing adjacent to Taraxacum friesii in an alvar-like habitat. The closely related V. collina Bess. occurred a few metres away, but hybrids were not observed. Flowers of V. collina had already reached the wilting stage.

 

This is the habitus of V. hirta. Note the presence of dead leaves from last year. Also seen (right-hand flower) is the reddish spur, a differential towards V. collina.

 

VIOL_HIR_B1305183124_VIS_HABITUS.jpg

Image reference: VIOL_HIR_B1305183124_VIS_HABITUS.jpg

 

VIOL_HIR_B1305183125_VIS.jpg

Image reference: VIOL_HIR_B1305183125_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D300, Medical-Nikkor 120 mm f/4 lens, built-in ring flash.

 

VIOL_HIR_I1305180579_UV.jpg

Image reference: VIOL_HIR_I1305180579_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D3200, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U 2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

In UV, the signature of V. hirta is dominated by the silvery shimmering of the corolla, caused by the copious presence of conical cells. They create iridescence as well.

 

[Published 21 May 2013]

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