Viola (plant)

Viola
Viola reichenbachiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Violaceae
Subfamily:	Violoideae
Tribe:	Violeae
Genus:	Viola L.
Type species
Viola odorata L.
Sections
see Subdivision
Synonyms[1]
List Chrysion Spach Cittaronium Rchb. Crocion Nieuwl. Dischidium Rchb. Erpetion DC. ex Sweet Grammeionium Rchb. Ion Medik. Jacea Opiz Lophion Spach Mnemion Spach Oionychion Nieuwl.

Viola is a genus of flowering plants in the violet family Violaceae. It is the largest genus in the family, containing over 680 species. Most species are found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere; however, some are also found in widely divergent areas such as Hawaii, Australasia, and the Andes.

Some Viola species are perennial plants, some are annual plants, and a few are small shrubs. Many species, varieties and cultivars are grown in gardens for their ornamental flowers. In horticulture, the term pansy is normally used for those multi-colored, large-flowered cultivars which are raised annually or biennially from seed and used extensively in bedding. The terms viola and violet are normally reserved for small-flowered annuals or perennials, including the wild species.