Quite right Clive - they are the same thing, at least in their variegated forms. The names are synonyms; V. koreana is still commonly used, but V. variegata is the 'correct' name. To go back to rodr's quesiton: V. gracilis is different to V. variegata. The only connection, I think, is the rejected synonym V. coreana H. Boissieu 1911 (and that's a 'c' not a 'k'). Lastly, note that not all forms of V. variegata have variegated leaves (this is similar in principle, for instance, to the fact that many plants of V. alba do not have white flowers).

Charles, My first thought was that this is a typo for Viola sepincola. The epithet sepincola has been used variously, eg. as a subspecies if Viola suavis and as a hybrid (V. X sepincola), namely that of V. hirta X odorata; that is as well as its original use by Jordan as a species. Most likely currently it is subsumed into V. suavis. But I guess it would not be unlikely for a violet from the Caucasus neck of the woods to be steppe-loving (steppicola) - its range might spread out onto the steppes. But I cannot find mention of a Viola steppicola species. However, Michael Hassler in Germany kindly sent me a list, including names in Index Kewensis, and that includes a violet with a common name which translates to Steppe violet, and it has the right distribution. It is given the name Viola ambigua Waldst. & Kit. 1804, and synonymized with Vv. campestris Bieb., ganderi Hausm. ex Nym., revoluta Heuff. ex Reichb., suaveolens Perrier & Songeon. However, there has to be a chance Viola steppicola is a genuine species; new ones do get published from time to time (like V. maymanica in nearby Afghanistan in the 1980's). I hope you manage to grow it, Charles. It would be nice, in a way, if it did not match the description for V. ambigua; it would be interesting if it turned out to truly be this hitherto very under-documented species Viola steppicola... Best of luck, and keep us posted!! Mike

If anyone is interested in discussing named violas and violettas, please get in touch. I am talking about the varieties such as viola 'Etain', 'Rebecca', etc.

Hi Rob et all folks, Viola hispida is endangered in France. An other name is Viola rothomagensis. It's a small pansy growing on open areas around Rouen ( a town in Normandy ), called " violette de Rouen" in French ( "Rouen pansy" in English ) Below a copy and past from this link ( .pdf ) http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/biodiversity/un_cop7/pdf/threat_en.pdf " Small perennial herb with violet flowers tinted of yellow. This Viola is a narrow endemic of the low basin of the Seine above Rouen. It grows on shingles of calcareous rocks. It was known from 7 localities, but now, it is limited to 4 populations, 3 of them very small and unstable (less than 50 individuals)." Please do not try to purchase it. Denis