Viola ucriana
Viola ucriana is a species of plant in the Violaceae family. It is a violet that is endemic to Sicily in Italy, where its known in Italian as Viola di Ucria.
| Viola ucriana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Violaceae |
| Genus: | Viola |
| Species: | V. ucriana |
| Binomial name | |
| Viola ucriana Erben & Raimondo | |
Distribution
Viola ucriana is only found on Mount Pizzuta, near Palermo in north-western Sicily, growing above the Piana degli Albanesi at an altitude of 800–1,300 metres (2,600–4,300 ft).[2] Its natural habitats are in Mediterranean shrubby vegetation and rocky areas here.
- Endangered
The only known populations are in two localities, covering a total area of 0.2 square kilometres (0.077 sq mi).[2] It is an IUCN Red List Critically Endangered plant species and IUCN Top 50 Campaign Mediterranean Island Plants, threatened by habitat loss.[2]
Description
Viola ucriana is perennial, evergreen herbaceous plant, with elongated upper leaves and lower leaves gathered forming a cushion at the base. The greyish green leaves are partially hairy. The flowers are yellow, with yellowish-green spur. The plants predominantly flowers in late Spring, between April and June.[2]
References
- Gianguzzi, L. & La Mantia, A. 2006. IUCN Red List: Viola ucriana - Downloaded on 24 August 2007 IUCN Red List of all Threatened Species
- IUCN 50 . accessed 11.30.2011
External links
Media related to Viola ucriana at Wikimedia Commons- IUCN - Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants: Viola ucriana
- Media related to Top 50 Campaign Mediterranean Island Plants at Wikimedia Commons