Viola odorata

Viola odorata, commonly known as the sweet violet or garden violet, is a widely cultivated plant native to Eurasia and northern Africa. It belongs to the genus Viola, which encompasses about 500 species of herbs and shrubs found globally, with the greatest diversity in the Andes Mountains.12

These plants are often cultivated for their attractive flowers, which are typically single, have five petals, and come in various colors except red. While many Viola species readily hybridize, making precise identification challenging, they generally grow in meadows or damp woods. Viola odorata is particularly noted for its use in producing commercially developed violets and its essential oil, which is used in perfumes. However, its rhizomes and seeds are poisonous and can cause gastroenteritis.23