2020 03 Viola oligyrtia Tiniakou

Rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plant, merely reaching 10cm in height. Basal leaves are cordate, glabrous, dark green, crenate, with acute to obtuse apex, forming a rosette. Cauline leaves are similar, though usually more acute. Long peduncles bear the flowers that are unscented and rose-violet to whitish in colour. Flowering time March – June.

The species is a local endemic of the NE Peloponnese. It is found only on two neighbouring mountains, namely Mt. Oligirtos (locus classicus) and Mt. Saitas. It grows in shady Greek fir forests on limestone and on rocky slopes at the edge of the forest, at 1100-1500m asl. In the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (2009) the species has been classified as vulnerable.