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Published 1986
Viola odorata and Viola tricolor Violet is taken from the Latin form of the Greek name Ione. This springs from the legend that when Jupiter changed his beloved Io into a white heifer for fear of Juno’s jealousy, he caused these modest flowers to grow to provide fitting food for her. Another legend says that violets sprang from the blood of Ajax:
And when stern Ajax poured a purple flood,
The violet rose, fair daughter of his blood.