The violet family, also known as Violaceae, is a diverse group of flowering plants that includes over 800 species. Synonyms for the violet family include Viola family, pansy family, and heartsease family. The family is named after the genus Viola, which is the largest in the group and contains many popular garden favorites such as the common blue violet and the sweet violet. Other genera in the violet family include Ionidium, Hybanthus, and Rinorea. These plants are known for their showy flowers which can be found in a wide range of colors, including purple, blue, yellow, and white.