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Viola Characteristics
| leaves simple, basal or alternate,
bearing stipules |
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two kinds of flowers: |
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Spring Flowers
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showy |
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cross-fertilizing |
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perfect |
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irregular in shape |
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5 persistent sepals, auricled at the
base |
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5 petals |
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lowest petal prolonged into a spur,
sometimes bearded at the throat |
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the 2 lateral petals frequently
bearded at the base |
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5 stamens, filaments extending beyond
the anthers |
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1 pistil, style extending beyond the
stamens |
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Summer Flowers
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remaining closed |
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self-fertilizing (cleistogamous) |
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