Viola odorata

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Viola odorata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Malpighiales
Family:
Violaceae
Genus:
Viola
Species:
V. odorata
Binomial name
Viola odorata

Viola odorata is a species of the genus Viola native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australasia. It is commonly known as Wood Violet,[1] Sweet Violet, English Violet, Common Violet, or Garden Violet. The herb is known as Banafsa, Banafsha or Banaksa in India, where it is commonly used as remedy for sore throat and tonsilitis.[medical citation needed] The sweet scent of this flower has proved popular throughout the generations particularly in the late Victorian period, and has consequently been used in the production of many cosmetic fragrances and perfumes[2]. The French are also known for their violet syrup, most commonly made from an extract of violets. In the United States, this French violet syrup is used to make violet scones and marshmallows.

Characteristics

Viola odorata is quite similar to other species of violet, but can be distinguished by the following characteristics:

  • the flowers are aromatic,[1]
  • the flowers are normally either dark violet or white,
  • the leaves and flowers are all in a basal rosette,
  • the style is hooked (and does not end with a rounded appendage),
  • the leaf-stalks have hairs which point downwards, and
  • the plant spreads with stolons (above-ground shoots).

These perennial flowers can mature at a height of 4 to 6 inches and a spread of 8 to 24 inches.[1]

Perfumery Uses

The scent of violet flowers is distinctive with only a few other flowers having a remotely similar odour. References to violets and the desirable nature of the fragrance go back to classical sources such as Pliny and Horace when the name ‘Ion’ was in use to describe this flower from which the name of the distinctive chemical constituents of the flower, the ionones – is derived. In 1923 Poucher writes that the flowers are widely cultivated both in Europe and the East for their fragrance, with both the flowers and leaves being separately collected and extracted for fragrance, and flowers also collected for use in confectionary and the production of a galenical syrup.[3]

There is some doubt as to whether the true extract of the violet flower is still commercially available at all.[4] It certainly was in the early 20th Century,[5] but by the time Steffen Arctander was writing in the late 1950s and early 1960s production had "almost disappeared".[6]

The violet leaf absolute however remains widely used in modern perfumery.[7][8]

Species

The species can be found near the edges of forests or in clearings; it is also a common "uninvited guest" in shaded lawns or elsewhere in gardens.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viola odorata.

Gallery

  • form, with stolons visible
    form, with stolons visible

References

  1. ^ a b c Bruce Asakawa; Sharon Asakawa (3 September 2001). California Gardener's Guide. Cool Springs Press. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-1-930604-47-6. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  2. ^ Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander, First published 1961, ISBN-10: 0-931710-36-7, ISBN-13: 978-0-931710-36-0
  3. ^ Perfumes Cosmetics and Soaps by W. A. Poucher, Vol. 2, Chapter V Monographs on Flower Perfumes. First published 1923
  4. ^ http://www.herbbee.com/essential-oil-profiles/violet/
  5. ^ Perfumes Cosmetics and Soaps by W. A. Poucher, Vol. 2, Chapter V Monographs on Flower Perfumes. First published 1923
  6. ^ Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander, First published 1961, ISBN-10: 0-931710-36-7, ISBN-13: 978-0-931710-36-0
  7. ^ An Introduction to Perfumery by Curtis & Williams 2nd Edition, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9608752-8-3, ISBN 978-1-870228-24-4
  8. ^ http://www.bojensen.net/EssentialOilsEng/EssentialOils31/EssentialOils31.htm

External links


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