many thanks, mike!
i'm not certain where this pic was taken...i suspect here in melbourne. on the back of the photo is '? v. hirtipes".
i think we can exclude that as the resemblance is only superficial....according to me, anyway!!

i may have a chance to visit the garden's chinese collection to see what the plants are up to at this season. i may be able to take some closer pics, too..

both the bot. gardens and i would be very grateful for suggestions as to the name of this cute wild violet.

rob...

Happy New Year violet folks! Long time no talk:)

I sent the pic to a violet taxonomist at Beijing Botanic Garden. He thinks it might be Viola yunnanensis, the details of which can be found on p. 99 of the Volume of Violaceae of Flora of China. I compared the descriptions of it with your information and they seem to match. According to Flora of China, both sides of its leaf are hairy and the flowers are white or pink. It has stolons and yes, it grows close to the ground...

You can also find some info (in English:) on this species at the following link:

Here is a link that might be useful: Viola yunnanensis