Viola canescens Wall.

Prostrate, pubescent or subglabrous herb, with long, cylindrical and branched roots. Stem absent. Leaves basal, 2.0-10 x 1.0-5.0 cm, broadly ovate subreniform, cordate, obtuse to acute, serrate-crenate, five nerved beneath, petiole almost double the length of the lamina, pubescent; stipules free, lanceolate, 5.0-20 x 1.0-3.0 mm, acute-acuminate, reddish at base, laciniate, laciniae as long as broad. Flowers small, 1.0-1.8 cm long, violet to pale violet, on erect, pubescent, (3-) 5-15 cm long peduncle; bracteoles 2, opposite to subopposite, almost at middle of the peduncle, setaceous. Sepals 5, linear-lanceolate, acute, entire, inequal, obscurely trinerved, lateral sepal large, upto 10 mm long, c. 2 mm broad, dentate near base, others c. 8.0 x 3.0 mm. Petals upto 15 mm long, c. 4.0 mm broad, obovate, obtuse, puberulous at the base, upper two cuneate, two lateral narrower and bearded at the base, marked with dark coloured streaks, lower most shortest, with dark coloured stripes. Spur short, c. 4 mm long, compressed, obtuse, mostly straight or reflexed. Style club shaped; ovary ovate, hairy; capsule globose, pubescent or glabrous, many-seeded.

Himalaya (Kashmir to Bhutan).

Distribution: Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan.

150-2400 m

Fl. Per.: March-June.