Viola tricolor

Scientific description

Phylum: Angiospermatophyta (Magnoliophyta)
Class: Dicotyledonatae (Magnoliatae)
Subclass: Dileniidae
Order: Violales
Family: Violaceae
Common name: Three-spotted brothers
Origin: Native to Europe.

Description:
Annual herbaceous plant, up to 30 cm tall, with taproot bearing absorbent hairs. Stem green, short, covered with fine hairs. Leaves oval, elongated, rarely toothed, short petiole, with stipules. Flowers on long peduncle, with long sepals and five petals, 1.5 cm in diameter, hermaphrodite and fertile. Lower petal yellow, spurred; upper petals dark purple; lateral petals white or bluish-purple. Blooms April–September. Fruit: valvicidal oblong-ovate capsule. Each plant produces 40–100 seeds.

Propagation: Seeds as soon as fruits reach physiological maturity.

Ecology: Common in meadows, forest edges, and rocky areas from hills to alpine zones. Prefers sunny places, medium-textured, neutral to acidic soils; drought- and frost-resistant.

Uses: Pharmaceutical importance. Aerial parts contain saponosides, flavonoids, salicylic compounds, carotenoids, anthocyanins, tannins, volatile oils, vitamins. Used for dermatological and renal issues, rheumatism, cough, bronchitis, epilepsy, asthma. Teas diuretic; leaves for chemical indicators; flowers for natural dyes. Also ornamental, solitary or in groups.

Threats: Euroasiatic flora; medicinal plant; locally disappeared due to intensive harvesting.

Creative writing inspired by Viola tricolor

Written by Carp Delia

Trei Frați Pătați: Legends and Medicinal Marvels

In the heart of ancient folklore, there existed three valiant princes—handsome, courageous, and bound by a shared destiny. Their father, an emperor, ruled over a kingdom where fear reigned. A fearsome dragon, its scales as dark as midnight, terrorized the land, devouring livestock and threatening the lives of innocent villagers.

The three brothers, fueled by a sense of duty and honor, embarked on a perilous quest to confront the dragon. Armed with swords forged by celestial blacksmiths, they ascended the treacherous slopes of the Himalayas, where the dragon’s lair lay hidden. Their journey was fraught with danger—icy winds, yawning chasms, and the haunting cries of unseen creatures.

Finally, they stood before the beast—a monstrous creature with eyes that glowed like embers. The battle raged, and the brothers fought with unwavering resolve. Their swords clashed against scales, and their hearts beat in unison. In a climactic moment, they pierced the dragon’s heart, ending its reign of terror.

But the dragon’s dying breath carried a curse. It prophesied that the brothers, victorious yet marked by fate, would transform into a flower—a symbol of their bravery and sacrifice. And so, they became Trei Frați Pătați, their petals adorned with vivid spots—a testament to their valor and the dragon’s curse.

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Authentic Specimen