Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Malpighiales Martius
Family
Violaceae
Genus
Viola L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Viola cunninghamii Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 16 (1852)
Synonymy:
  • = Viola cunninghamii var. gracilis Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 16 (1852)
Vernacular Name(s):
Mountain violet; White violet
 Description

Taprooted perennial; rootstock often multicipital; stems 0. Lvs all rosulate, glabrous or sparsely hairy on margins and veins, (0.5)–1–3 × (0.5)–1–2.5 cm, broadly ovate to deltoid, cuneate or truncate at base, obtuse, with (3)–5–10 very shallow crenations each side; stipules linear, entire or glandular-toothed, 5–(10) mm long; petiole glabrous to pilose, (1)–2–10–(25) cm long. Peduncles erect, glabrous to pilose; bracts short, linear, entire. Fls (0.5)–1–2 cm diam. Sepals lanceolate, acute, 3–5 mm long; appendages 0.5–0.8 mm long. Petals white with purple veins, > sepals, the lateral bearded; spur broad, slightly > sepal appendages. Style geniculate at base, 1.5–2 mm long; stigma subcapitate. Capsule ellipsoid, glabrous, 5–10 mm long. Seeds obovoid, dark olive-green, 1.5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: (Sep.)–Oct.–Feb.; Fruiting: (Nov.)–Dec.–Mar.–(Apr.)

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.