SC - Saxon Violets

[Laura C. Minnick]

lilinah at earthlink.net wrote:
> 
> In two different messages 'Lainie wrote:
> >  Where are you? I'm in Western Oregon, and they're all over.
> 
> Not to quibble, but Lainie are you sure what are growing where you
> are are true violets? I know that in California some people call
> another plant, that is absolutely definitely not a viola family
> member and lacks violet scent a "violet" because it's small and
> purple (i don't know what it is, but it's a common ground cover,
> though).

I know what flower you are talking about (don't know the name though)
and it is definitely _not_ what I have been talking about! The violets
in our yard (almost all gone already!) start blooming just after the
crocuses, smell heavily of violets, and are definitely _viola odorata_.
They really only do well in damp climes, which is why they don't do well
in California. That other thing is also all over, and though purple, has
no other resemblance to violets.

BTW, the scent of a violet has a peculiar effect on olfactory receptors
(so I have been told) and so the scent 'wears' out quickly when worn or
if you're working with them. It is also fragile and dissipates quickly
if heated.

'Lainie
(purpure, a dove volant argent, wings addorsed, in chief three violets
proper, slipped and leaved vert)