Petite plante à tiges ligneuses et à rameaux densément feuillés à leur extrémité. Feuilles étroitement lancéolées portant parfois quelques dents discrètes, à stipules linéaires et entières. Fleurs axillaires portées par un long pédoncule, de couleur violet-pâle, de « type violette » à 2 pétales dressés et au pétale inférieur nettement veiné de pourpre (plus légèrement veinée sur les pétales latéraux), à sépales aigus, à éperon court et épais.
Détermination
Simple.
Espèces proches
Aucune autre Viola française ne possède de tiges aérienne ligneuses.
Période d'observation
Floraison entre mai et octobre.
Biologie - éthologie
Espèce chaméphyte (ligneuse de petite taille) appartenant à la famille des Violaceae qui se reconnaît aisément à la floraison. Le seul genre rencontré en France, Viola, se partage en 4 sections entre les « pensées » (sect. Melanium et sect. Dischidium) et les « violettes » (sect. Viola et sect. Xylinosium à laquelle appartient Viola arborescens). Viola arborescens est hermaphrodite, entomogame et myrmécochore (dissémination des graines par les fourmis).
Biogéographie et écologie
Espèce ouest-méditerranéenne : Algérie, Maroc, Espagne, France, Sardaigne et Baléares. Viola arborescens pousse dans les milieux très ouverts, sur des sols squelettiques ou sableux calcaires et uniquement sur la frange littorale. Cette espèce est très rare en France.
Sources Tison J.-M., De Foucault B. (coords). 2014. Flora gallica - Flore de France. Ed. Biotope (Mèze), 1196p.
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.
French Version
