Wild Pansy [Viola tricolor]

Pest profile

About the weed

Description

It is an annual or perennial dicotyledon, larger and more robust than field pansy. Leaves are oblong, lobed or toothed with projections at the base. The flowers are fivepetalled and blue violet with the lower petals flushed with bright yellow.

Key features

Plant: Wild pansy is larger and more robust than field pansy.

Flowers: The petals are larger than the sepals.

Biology

Wild pansy is less commonly seen in fields than field pansy. It is found on stony arable land in both winter and spring crops; seeds may contaminate grain and be difficult to clean. Wild pansy is not as competitive as field pansy, but has a similar life cycle; autumn-germinating plants can overwinter and flower early in the following season. The seeds are dispersed from an exploding seed head.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Life Cycle

Seed longevity: >5 years

Seed weight: 0.4 mg

Treatment

Management

Residual herbicide treatments are generally effective in autumn and spring sown crops.