Viola decommissioned

No plants were destroyed during this short study of Viola flower morphology. Some flowers were decommissioned.

The colourful flowers just keep coming.

Green pistil in the centre of the picture with long thin hairs arching over it on the lateral petals.

Can’t see the anthers. They must be in there somewhere.

Both lateral petals are bearded. The ‘hairy entrance” has probably evolved to attract pollinators. Purple lines on the lower petal act like airport approach lights, guiding insects towards the stamen and stigma.

There they are. Five anthers are fused in a collar around the style. They have not dehisced yet. The white dots on the stigma are probably pollen grains from another flower.

All the information on Viola flowers you can possibly want can be found here.