Viola ucriana

Viola ucriana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Voila
Species: V. ucriana
Binomial name
Viola ucriana
Erben & Raimondo

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 800–1,300 metres (2,600–4,300 ft).[1] Its natural habitats are in Mediterranean shrubby vegetation and rocky areas here.

Endangered

The only known populations are in two localities, covering a total area of 0.2 square kilometres (0.077 sq mi).[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]

The Viola di Ucria of Sicily.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN 50 . accessed 11.30.2011

External links

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