Taxonomic history:
1753: Linnaeus described this species as Viola pedata in Species Plantarum, 1st ed., p. 933 of Ray Society 1957 facsimile.
Today: The current name for this species is Viola pedata L.
original Latin diagnosis
Viola acaulis, foliis pedatis septempartitis.
English translation
Viola stemless; with leaf blades palmate with lateral lobes divided into seven parts.
| Viola | Viola |
| stemless; | acaulis - nominative singular feminine of group B adjective acaulis, acaulis, acaule; modifies Viola |
| with leaf blades | foliis - ablative plural of second declension neuter noun folium, -i |
| palmate with lateral lobes divided | pedatis - ablative plural neuter of group A adjective pedatus, -a, -um; modifies foliis |
| (divided) into seven parts. | septempartitis - ablative plural neuter of perfect passive participle of fourth conjugation verb septempartio, -partire, -partivi, -partitum; modifies foliis |