Viola grypoceras

A. Gray

Violaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves 1,582 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A taller perennial reaching 30cm in height. Flowers bloom from April to May with seeds ripening June through August. Insect-pollinated hermaphroditic flowers. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage; prefers mildly acidic to neutral pH and moist conditions. Grows in semi-shaded to full sun environments.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a taproot. It has a brown rhizome. The stems are erect and 5-20 cm tall. The leaves are broadly heart shaped. They are 1-4 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The flowers are purplish to white.

Edible Uses

Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. Added to soup, they thicken it in much the same way as okra. The flowers of this species are typically purplish to white — 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.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on grassy slopes below 2,400 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan,

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. 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 (2)

M. C. Perry, Narr. exped. China Seas Japan 2:308. 1857
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/