Violets in spring
1 WHY DO VIOLETS FLOWER UNDERGROUND?
Poor spring weather can ruin insect pollination for woodland plants, but many violets have a back-up. When their blooms fade, tiny alternative ones sprout from the roots. These are pale, closed and can be hidden in the soil, and since they are self-fertile, produce seeds no matter the weather. The main flowers are resourceintensive yet best for genetic diversity, while these subterranean flowers are ‘cheaper’ but more reliable.
2 WHAT POLLINATES VIOLETS?
As well as attracting bees and butterflies, many species of violet have a two-way deal with ants, known as myrmecochory. Both benefit from this mutualism. The violets produce seeds that explode from a capsule onto the forest floor. Attached to one end is a nutritious treat, called an elaiosome. Ants carry this oil-and-protein-rich snack to their nest, then dispose of the seed in their waste heap – the perfect compost garden for woodland flowers such as violets.
3 WHY DO VIOLETS SMELL BEST ON SUNNY DAYS?
The sweet violet has a fleeting fragrance, tailored to changing needs. In chilly weather, when there are fewer insect pollinators about, the scent of its early spring blossom is insignificant. On warmer sunny days, the aroma on a woodland bank dotted with these dainty flowers can be overwhelming. But the perfume also contains ionone, a compound that numbs the scent receptors of those who smell it, making for an elusive smell that can only be captured briefly. Alex Morss