Leaves of Viola atropurpurea

Description

When I came across this stunning violet in the high Andes I shouted into the sky with excitement! This was a plant that I had seen in books and never thought that I might see growing in the wild. It seems so perfect and mathematically arranged. Even more stunning, the plant has little black flowers that poke out from under the scale-like leaves. The shape of the plant helps it heat up in sun in the chilly altitudes it grows as well as protect it from bitter winds.