Photographs: Muckross, Co. Kerry

Early Dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana Sailchuach luath Family: Violaceae Flowering time: March-May. Perennial. Native. Blue-violet flowers with a straight dark spur, narrow upper petals and un-branched dark purple veins on the lower petals. Leaves and stipules are narrower than those of Common Dog-violet. Height 4-20 cm. Shady calcareous ground in dry deciduous woods and on hedge banks Similar: Common Dog-violet, Viola riviniana has a notched, pale spur and branched veins on lower petals

Early Dog-violet, Viola reichenbachiana, Sailchuach luath