Viola riviniana Rchb.

Rhizomatous perennial; stems prostrate to ascending, glabrous, 5–20 cm long. Lvs all similar, with fine hairs near margin above, (7)–15–25 × (7)–15–25 mm, ovate-cordate, subacute to acuminate, with > 10 shallow crenations each side; stipules linear, acute, 5–10 × 1–(2) mm, long-fimbriate; fimbriae 1–1.5 mm long; petiole glabrous, (3)–15–40 mm long. Peduncles erect, with very fine hairs above; bracts linear, with 1–4 fimbriae near base or entire, 3–6 mm long. Fls 15–20 mm diam. Sepals narrowly ovate-acuminate, 4–6 mm long; appendages 1–2 mm long. Petals blue-violet, > sepals, the lateral bearded; spur broad, 5–6 mm long, > sepal appendages. Style weakly geniculate at base, 2 mm long; stigma beaked. Capsule ellipsoid, glabrous, 9–12 mm long. Seeds obovoid, yellowish brown, 2 mm long.

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

Flowering: (Sep.)–Nov.–Dec.–(Jan.); Fruiting: Dec.–Feb.