2011-04-01 Vienna XXII. district (Lobau national park, 155 m AMSL).In Lobau alluvial forests, and very early in spring (march and april), two species dominate - one is clearly Viola suavis (like e. g.
this one here), and another one seems to be a hybrid between Viola suavis and Viola odorata - or at least, that's the best explanation I have for the one shown here (some petals removed to show more detail).- spur violet, but not white, while petals are white at the centre (V. odorata with white centre have a white spur; V. suavis have white centre, but violet spur)- stem without leaves (typical for both), but bracteole at or above half the length of stem with this one (as is the case with V. odorata), while it is below half its length on V. suavis- scent more intense than with V. suavis, or so I think; to my nose the scent is that of V. odorata, and not that of V. suavis- colour: also different, these, that is (presumably) V. suavis x odorata, are significantly darker violet than V. suavisGerman name: VeilchenID: Fischer & al., Exkursionsflora A/FL/SdT (2008 3rd); however, I was unable to make sure of all the distinctive features required by this field guide for secure identification, and for this reason my ID is rather only an estimate - anyway, this source notes that hybrids of both those species are not uncommon - or rather, that Viola genus is susceptible to hybridisation.
