Violet

  • Botanical Name:   Viola
  • Common Name:   Violet, Viola, Pansy
  • Native to:   UNKNOWN
  • Aliases:   UNKNOWN

    • Floral Message

    Violets are a symbol of faithfulness. To dream of violets is a promise of advancement in life. It is said that a garland of violets worn about the head prevents dizziness. They are considered a good luck gift to any woman in any season, but where violets bloom in autumn, epidemics will follow within the year.

    • Blue violets say I'll always be true and signify constancy
    • White violets depict modesty, or the desire to take a chance on happiness
    • Yellow violets convey modest worth.

    		 Photograph of Violet

    History and Lore about the Violet

    Napoleon was a devout fan of the violet: when he married Josephine, she wore violets, and on every wedding anniversary he sent her a violet bouquet. In 1814, before leaving for his exile in St. Helena, Napoleon asked to visit Josephine's tomb. There he picked the violets that were found in a locket around his neck when he died. The French Bonapartists thus chose the violet as their emblem, and Napoleon was nicknamed Corporal Violet.

    Interesting Facts about the Violet

    Violet were taken to England by a botanist in the 18th century and their popularity quickly spread and remains strong today. The french have developed some of today's most popular hybrids.

    Some violets produce an at once sweet then elusive scent. A major component of the sent,ionone, temporarily desensitises the receptors in the nose thereby preventing any further fragrance being detected from in the flower.