The Violaceae has about 22 genera and 900 species, but only one genus, Viola , occurs in Utah. Unfortunately, it is an atypical member of the family, being the only bilaterally symmetric genus. Try to bear this in mind when you are on your travels. Then again, Viola includes around 400 species, almost half the total number of species in the family. The family occurs throughout the world, but is most abundant in temperate regions.
Most species are perennial herbs, but there are some shrubs and a few annuals.
The leaves are almost always simple, alternate, and stipulate. The fruit is a capsule. In Viola , the petals are unequal, the lower pair forming a spur. Nectar is secreted into the base of the spur from the bases of the lowest two stamens. In trying to reach the nectar, an insect will brush against the stigma.