Someone (and I'm sorry I don;t remember who) send me a couple of starts of an arrow-leafed violet, I can't quite make out the handwriting but it looks like viola betcencicifolia ? And i'm too lazy to google for the right name.
The sender said that it was a prolific seeder so I was prepared to assess weediness. However it stopped flowering. Oh it sets heads but they don't open, they immediately go to seed. It's only a little ground-cover plant and as it seems to like moisture I have it in a pot near the tap.
Someone told me the similar problem with an acanthacaea I had is called Cleistogamous flowers and that it might be caused by stress. and it seems that violets are prone to. Is there any - er- "treatment" like nutrients or moving location, I'd love to know.
Alison, it might be a late season strategy of the plant to ensure seed production if the season has been bad or pollinators scarce. If the season has been extra wet then pollen may not remain viable and the plant has to look to these alternative methods.
Here is a link to some information on Viola betonicifolia. I haven't read it to see it contains the information you need, but you might find it useful anyway. Hope so! Cheers, Dee.
Yes, thanks to you both. Dee, the article does say that they can set seed without obvious flowering. Thanks for the link. And lomatia, yes it could be a seasonal thing I will try moving the pots too, I haven't anywhere moist enough with enough just enough sun to do them justice in the garden. It is a pretty little flower, certainly could be a weed here in that it has "pinged" into other patio pots and coming up in the pavers.
