Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 13, 2026

Viola cornuta

Viola cornuta, known as horned pansy or horned violet, is a species of flowering plant in the violet family Violaceae, native to the Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantábrica of northern Spain at an altitude of 1,000–2,300 metres (3,300–7,500 ft). It is a low-growing, clump-forming temperate evergreen perennial, reaching 50 cm (20 in) in height and spread. It has mid-green ovate leaves with rounded teeth, and masses of delicate pale violet flowers in early summer. The flower consists of five strap-shaped petals with a slender spur.

Last revised
Jun 13, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Citations
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Viola cornuta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Viola
Species:
V. cornuta
Binomial name
Viola cornuta

Viola cornuta, known as horned pansy1 or horned violet, is a species of flowering plant in the violet family Violaceae, native to the Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantábrica of northern Spain at an altitude of 1,000–2,300 metres (3,300–7,500 ft).2 It is a low-growing, clump-forming temperate evergreen perennial, reaching 50 cm (20 in) in height and spread. It has mid-green ovate leaves with rounded teeth, and masses of delicate pale violet flowers in early summer. The flower consists of five strap-shaped petals with a slender spur.34

This plant,5 and the white-flowered Alba Group,6 have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.7

It is a known host of the pathogenic fungus Puccinia violae.8

Cultivation

Viola cornuta is hardy to USDA zones 6–119 (hardy in the UK to −15 °C (5 °F)).5 Many cultivars are hybrids with Viola × wittrockiana, designated as Viola × williamsii.10 Some of these, such as 'King Henry', may be hardy to zone 4.11

References

References

  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. F. Muñoz Garmendia; P. Montserrat; M. Laínz & J. J. Aldasoro. "Viola L.". Plumbaginaceae (partim) – Capparaceae (PDF). Flora Iberica. Vol. 3. pp. 276–317. ISBN 978-84-00-08359-5.
  3. Fuller, Rodney (1993). Pansies, violas and violettas: the complete guide. United Kingdom: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-85223-748-6.
  4. Edwards, Ray (1999). Hardy perennials: RHS practicals. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley.
  5. "RHS Plant Selector "Viola cornuta"". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector Viola cornuta Alba Group". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 107. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  8. Helgi Hallgrímsson & Guðríður Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir (2004). Íslenskt sveppatal I - smásveppir [Checklist of Icelandic Fungi I - Microfungi. Fjölrit Náttúrufræðistofnunar. Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands [Icelandic Institute of Natural History]. ISSN 1027-832X
  9. MBG 2020.
  10. AGS 2018.
  11. DG 2020.
Bibliography

Bibliography

External links

Media related to Viola cornuta at Wikimedia Commons