Field Pansy | Reserves and species

Scientific Name:

Viola arvensis

The delicate Field Pansy is a wild relative of our garden pansy and can be found in fields and on waste ground and roadside verges - anywhere the ground has been disturbed. Its long-stalked, pale yellow flowers can be found winding their way through the grasses from April to October.

How to identify:

The low-growing Field Pansy generally has pale creamy-yellow flowers with an orange flush on the lower petal. However, it does display a variety of colour forms towards violet, sometimes making it difficult to tell apart from the Wild Pansy, with which it also hybridises. Field Pansies are annuals.

Where to find it:

Grows throughout the UK, but is less common in eastern parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

How people can help:

Although they sometimes don't look especially wildlife-friendly, our roadside verges, field edges and waste grounds can provide valuable habitats for all kinds of plants and animals. The Wildlife Trusts get involved in different projects to help make these places as beneficial for wildlife as possible. We have a vision of a 'Living Landscape': a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country, which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.

Statistics:

Height: up to 15cm

Conservation status:

Common.

Did you know?:

The face-like arrangement of the petals of pansies has provided them with many names from 'Cat's Face' to 'Three-faces-under-a-hood'.

Seasons:

Spring

Summer

Autumn

When to see

Start date:

April

End date:

October

Image: