About Viola lutea Huds.
Viola lutea Huds. is a compact plant that grows to around 20 centimetres (8 inches) tall, with bright, oval-shaped green leaves. Its flowers measure 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in) across. Most individuals produce golden yellow flowers, though some have blue, purple, or blotched flowers instead. Within Great Britain, Viola lutea grows only in upland areas located north of a line between the Severn and Humber estuaries. It occurs at altitudes ranging from 200 metres (660 ft) in Derbyshire to 1,070 m (3,500 ft) in Breadalbane. In Ireland, this species has a more scattered geographic distribution, and grows at altitudes from sea level in County Clare up to 380 m (1,250 ft) in the Wicklow Mountains. Viola lutea is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It grows best in locations with full sun or partial shade and rich soil. It is the main progenitor of the common cultivated garden pansy, Viola × wittrockiana. This hybrid was developed by British gardeners in the early 19th century.
