A Side View.
This view of the Alaskan Violet flower shows the bulbous “spur” which holds the nectar. The spur is a helpful feature in identifying this Viola species and is formed by the lower petal. The size and position of the spur limits the kinds of insects that can pollinate the flower after they have been directed by the nectar guides or pencil lines. 
''Viola langsdorffii'' is a species of ''Viola''. Commonly known as Alaskan violet and Aleutian violet, it is a plant from rather stout creeping rootstocks, glabrous, the stems ascending 5–30 cm long. ''V. langsdorffii'' has leaves that are long-petioled, round-cordate, and anywhere from 2.5 to 4 cm broad, crenate; stipules foliaceous, lanceolate, the lower usually incised. The flowers are pale violet, with petals 12–16 mm long, the three lower white at base, the lateral pair bearded; spur.. more
