Viola collina
Besser
Hairy fruit, Ball-fruited violet
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(c) Koroteev, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Koroteev
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Vladimir Bryukhov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Vladimir Bryukhov
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Vladimir Bryukhov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Vladimir Bryukhov
Summary
A low-growing perennial reaching only 10cm tall with hermaphrodite insect-pollinated flowers. Blooms March to May with seeds ripening June to August. Grows in light, medium, or heavy well-drained soils with mildly acid to neutral pH. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.
Description
A herb without a stem. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 3-8 cm high. It has a stout rootstock. It is 2-7 cm long. The leaves come from the root. They are broadly oval and 1-4 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are small and white or violet.
Edible Uses
Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. Added to soup, they act as a thickener much like okra. The flowers are typically purplish — some caution is advised with yellow-flowered plants, as the flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities. The leaves can also be brewed into a tea.
Traditional Uses
The whole young plant is eaten as a potherb.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In China it grows in shady and moist places below 2,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Asia, Central Asia, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. It is found in most parts of Europe and is usually calcicole. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5. All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, though those species with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities.
Propagation
Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame for best results, or sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle, then plant out during summer. Divide plants in autumn or just after flowering. Larger divisions can go directly into their permanent positions, but smaller divisions are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until establishing well, then planted out in summer or the following spring.
Other Uses
None known
Notes
There are about 500 Viola species.
References (4)
- BARANOV,
- Cat. hort. Cremeneci 151. 1816
- Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 562
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
