Viola

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Viola (pansy, violet; family Violaceae) A genus of dicotyledonous (see DICOTYLEDON) herbs with simple alternate or basal leaves. The flowers are zygomorphic, with 5 sepals and 5 petals, the lower 2 often fused, with prominent guide-lines and a contrasting centre. Many species have been domesticated and hybridized to produce the showy pansies grown in garden borders. There are about 500 species, of widespread temperate range.

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