Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Malpighiales Martius
Family
Violaceae
Genus
Viola L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Viola lyallii Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 16 (1864)
Synonymy:
  • = Erpetion spathulatum A.Cunn., Ann. Nat. Hist. 4: 110 (1840)
Vernacular Name(s):
Hāka; New Zealand native violet
 Description

Taprooted perennial; stems weak, prostrate to ascending, glabrous, 10–20 cm long. Basal and stem lvs all similar, glabrous, 1–2–(3.5) × 1–2–(4) cm, broadly ovate-cordate to reniform, obtuse to subacute, with 5–10 very shallow crenations each side; stipules linear, distantly glandular-toothed, 3–7 mm long; petiole (1)–2–5–(15) cm long. Peduncles erect, glabrous; bracts linear, entire or distantly toothed, 3–6 mm long. Fls 1–1.5 cm diam. Sepals lanceolate, acute, 3–4 mm long; appendages c. 0.5 mm long. Petals white with purple veins, > sepals, the lateral bearded; spur very short and broad, hardly > sepal appendages. Style straight, 1.5 mm long; stigma capitate, slightly curved. Capsule ellipsoid, glabrous, c. 1 cm long. Seeds obovoid, pale greenish brown, 1.5 mm long.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

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

 Bibliography
Cunningham, A. 1840: Florae insularum Novae Zelandiae precursor; or a specimen of the botany of the islands of New Zealand. Annals of Natural History 4: 106–111.
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. 1864: Handbook of the New Zealand Flora: a systematic description of the native plants of New Zealand and the Chatham, Kermadec's, Lord Auckland's, Campbell's and Macquarie's Islands. Part I. Reeve, London.