National Records of Scotland

Preserving the past, Recording the present, Informing the future

Horned Pansy

Horned Pansy

Viola cornuta, family Violaceae
Season: 
April to July

The horned pansy was introduced from the Pyrenees in 1776 and like other violets is shrouded in mythology and myth connected with love, marriage and death.

In France this sweetly scented pansy was referred to as 'Violette Folle' (the mad violet) as sniffing it was thought to cause madness. There is no evidence to suggest that this is true!

Horned Pansy. Image credit: carmona rodriguez.cc, Flickr. CC license
Cluster of Horned Pansies. Image credit: Joan Simon, Flickr. CC license