Dame's Violet (Hesperis), a genus of Cruciferae, closely allied to stock and wallflower; natives chiefly of the middle and south of Europe, and temperate Asia. One only, the Common Dame's Violet or Rocket (H. matronalis), occurs wild in Britain as a garden escape. The usually lilac-coloured flowers are scentless by day, but very fragrant at night, on which account this plant is cultivated in flower-pots by German ladies. The custom appears to have been an old English one also, and from it the plant derives its technical name. The Nigh t-scented Rocket (H. tristis) is also a favourite flower in Germany.
There are many florist's varieties ranging on each side of the familiar lilac tint to purple or white, often also variegated, and single or double.