The violet (Viola alba ssp.dehnhardtii) is one of the few herbs of the holm-oak forest. When first sunny days arrive in February, the violet blossoms in the darkness of the evergreen oak forest. The blossom spans from February to May. Violet flowers have 5 petals, 2 up and 3 down; the one in the middle down wider and with a rear spur. Then, in summer, the violet is recognised by its heart shaped leaves with sawed margin and long petiole.
There are several species of wild violets quite similar one to another, the most common ones are Viola sylvestris, Viola willkommii and Viola hirta from the deciduous woods and Viola suavis ssp.catalonica from the riverside forest, often with white flowers.
[photos Jordi Badia (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th) and Florenci Vallès (5th]