Viola riviniana, commonly known as the Common Dog-violet, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats across Europe and Northwest Africa, including woodland edges, grasslands, and shady hedge banks. It forms a low, ground-hugging rosette reaching approximately 4 inches in height and spreading up to 20 inches wide. The leaves are dark green, heart-shaped, and sometimes hairy. From April to June, it produces delicate violet flowers that are not particularly showy but have a subtle charm. The flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by bees and other insects.

The Common Dog-violet is valued for its ability to thrive in dappled shade and its low maintenance requirements, making it suitable for woodland gardens, naturalized areas, and as an underplanting for larger shrubs. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. While it is not typically used for culinary or medicinal purposes, it is an important larval food plant for fritillary butterflies. Gardeners should be aware that it can host the pathogenic fungus Puccinia violae, which causes violet rust. Despite this, Viola riviniana is generally disease-resistant and not known for aggressive rooting or other problematic behaviors. It has been recognized for its ecological importance and cultural significance, being voted the county flower of Lincolnshire in 2002.CC BY-SA 4.0