Viola ucriana explained

Viola ucriana is a species of plant in the Violaceae family. It is a violet that is endemic to Sicily in Italy, where its known in Italian as Viola di Ucria.

Distribution

Viola ucriana is only found on Mount Pizzuta, near Palermo in north-western Sicily, growing above the Piana degli Albanesi at an altitude of 800m-1300mm (2,600feet-4,300feetm).[1] Its natural habitats are in Mediterranean shrubby vegetation and rocky areas here.

EndangeredThe only known populations are in two localities, covering a total area of 0.2km2.[1] It is an IUCN Red List Critically Endangered plant species and IUCN Top 50 Campaign Mediterranean Island Plants, threatened by habitat loss.[1]

Description

Viola ucriana is perennial, evergreen herbaceous plant, with elongated upper leaves and lower leaves gathered forming a cushion at the base. The greyish green leaves are partially hairy. The flowers are yellow, with yellowish-green spur. The plants predominantly flowers in late Spring, between April and June.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://data.iucn.org/Themes/ssc/our_work/plants/Top50/English/pdfs/Viola_ucriana.pdf IUCN 50