Marsh Violet

Name: Marsh Violet

Scientific name: Viola palustris

Category: Flowers

Nature Stars: 30

What are nature stars?

About: This relative of the well-known pansy likes damp  and acidic places such as wet woodlands, bogs and marshes - as you would expect!

How to identify: Flat, green and heavily veined, the rounded, kidney-shaped leaves grow up from the base of the plant. Pale lilac flowers hang on taller stalks that sprout from the centre and resemble washed-out pansies.

Where: Widespread

Fantastic fact: It is the food plant of the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly.

Photograph credit: ukwildflowers.com