VIOLA PARADOXA Lowe – Madeira Violet

Family: Violaceae Batsch

Distribution: Endemic plant of Madeira.
Habitat: Rocky slopes of the highest parts of central mountains in Madeira. It grows from 1600 to 1800 metres above sea level.
Description: A perennial herb with a prostrate to suberect stem, up to 30 cm long. The basal leaves are petiolate, blade is ovate to ovate-orbicular, up to 1,5 cm long, crenate. Upper leaves are elongated to spatulated. Flowers are solitary and axillary. Bright yellow corolla with black veins, 2–2,5 cm long, the lower petal with vivid yellow stein, the largest one. Flowers from May to July.
Endangering and Protection: Protected by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Berne Convention).



Photos: 15. 5. 2006 (Portugal, Madeira, Pico do Gato).