Tecophilaea violiflora is a perennial, tuberous herb in the family Tecophilaeaceae native to Peru and Chile.
Description.
Vegetative characteristics.
"Tecophilaea violiflora" is a perennial, tuberous herb with 1–3 lanceolate, 8–20cm long, and 8–13mm wide leaves.
Generative characteristics.
The capsule fruit bears small black seeds.
Taxonomy.
It was validly published by Luigi Aloysius Colla in 1836 based on previous work by Carlo Luigi Giuseppe Bertero. The type specimen was collected by Carlo L.G. Bertero. It is the type species of its genus.
Etymology.
The specific epithet "violiflora" is derived from the genus "Viola" and from the Latin "flos" or "floris" meaning flower, referring to flowers that resemble those of "Viola".
Ecology.
Habitat.
In Chile, it occurs in relict coastal forests and temperate forests.