Heath Dog-Violet snuggled in the sand dunes

Heath dog violet
Heath Dog-violet Viola canina   Photo: Janet Higgins

Walking along the sand dunes at Eccles-on-sea during a Norfolk Flora group meeting, Hatty spotted a violet growing amongst Sand Sedge Carex arenaria and Field wood-rush Luzula campetris. I immediately abandoned my hunt for Sea Mouse-ear Cerastium diffusum to come and have a look. The single violet flower was pointing down, obviously feeling wind blasted like us, but this showed off its yellow spur. This was not a violet I was familiar with. Bob immediately identified as Heath Dog-Violet Viola canina. It was very exciting for me to see this plant for the first time and a good opportunity to make use of my shiny new Viola handbook (BSBI publication No.17).

heath dog violet
Heath Dog-violet Viola canina   Photo: Janet Higgins

 

Janet Higgins
28.04.2018