The
pansy flower
, which is scientifically called violet, is part of a large and multicolor family of violets. It is often called a viola. This beautiful plant has been known since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, whose myths have stories about its origin. In the Middle Ages, the
pansy flower was one of the symbols of Christianity. In addition, he was called the violet of the Holy Trinity, identifying his three petals with three holy faces, and a speck in the middle - with the all-seeing eye of God. Lovers plant served as a symbol of fidelity.
Where the Russian name came from is not known, although you can guess by looking at the enlarged photo of the flowers. Pansies really look a bit like an eye, however this applies mainly to large and advanced varieties. There is a legend
that such a tender name viola received due to the sad story of a young girl who did not wait for the return of her beloved.
By its biological characteristics, the pansy flower is a perennial, however, as a rule, it is grown as a biennial. In the first year, the plant forms only the leafy part, and blooms only in the second. Its height is up to twenty centimeters. On erect tetrahedral stems are rounded or oval leaves with serrated edges.
The flowers of pansies are located on elongated pedicels, they are quite large and reach a diameter of 12 cm. Their beautiful color is especially striking.
In many household plots, pansies can be seen. Flowers, the cultivation of which does not require much labor, are very fond of gardeners.
The plant prefers loose and nutritious soil, feeling great in shaded areas. The optimum temperature for its growth is considered to be limits from 4 to 16 degrees. The main requirements that a pansy flower makes are constant loosening of the earth and removal of weeds from it. Feeding is best done once every three weeks with water-soluble fertilizer.
There are a lot of varieties of this plant: it is one-color, and two-color groups, with an eye and without spots, three-colored, and also variegated, on which there are five points, with corrugated petals, orchids with asymmetric addition and so on.
Propagated pansy flower seedlings. So that the seeds germinate well, they are planted in mid-July. They are obtained from trihedral boxes of plants, which crack after ripening. Collect them after they rise up on the peduncle.
Shoots come out already fifteen days after planting. The seedlings cannot stand the direct sun, so they must be shaded.
Pansy flower contains essential oils, as well as unique trace elements. Healers who are well aware of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, widely use it in the treatment of diseases that are associated with the secretion of the bronchi. The infusion of this violet facilitates the elimination of sputum, being an excellent expectorant and diuretic. In addition, the pansy flower is rich in an active ingredient such as violacquercetin, known for its anti-inflammatory effect. Preparations based on this plant reduce vascular permeability.