Violaceae
Herbs, shrubs or trees. Lvs usually alternate, simple, stipulate. Fls solitary, axillary or in racemes or fascicles, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, hypogynous, ⚥ or unisexual. Sepals 5, free, sometimes with basal appendages. Petals 5, free, equal or unequal, the lowest sometimes spurred. Stamens 5, united at base into a ring; anthers introrse; connective often projecting as an appendage. Ovary of 3-(5) fused carpels, 1-celled; placentation parietal. Style and stigma simple or lobed. Fr. a capsule dehiscing by 3-(5) valves, or an indehiscent berry. Seeds usually smooth; embryo straight; endosperm fleshy.
Key
22 genera, 900 spp., cosmopolitan.
