Viola odorata
| Viola odorata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Viola odorata (common name: sweet violet)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. The seed requires a period of cold stratification and the germination of stored seed can be erratic. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.
Division in the autumn or just after flowering. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils but prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds[1][2][3][4]. When grown in the open it prefers a moderately heavy rich soil[1]. Plants have done very well in a hot dry sunny position on our Cornish trial grounds[K]. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils.
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[5].
Sweet violets are very ornamental plants, there are many named varieties[5]. They produce their delicately scented flowers in late winter and early spring - these are designed for fertilisation by bees and since there are few bees around at this time of year these flowers seldom set seed[6]. However, the plants also produce a second type of flower later in the year. These never open, but seed is produced within them by self-fertilization[6]. The plants will often self-sow freely when well-sited[7]. They can also spread fairly rapidly at the roots when they are growing well[K].
Responds well to an annual replanting in rich loose leafy soils[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[8][9][10].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia and Syria.
Habitat: Fields, hedgerows and woodlands, especially on calcareous soils[11][12][3].
Edibility: Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[13][9][14]. Usually available all through the winter[K]. The leaves have a very mild flavour, though they soon become quite tough as they grow older. They make a very good salad, their mild flavour enabling them to be used in bulk whilst other stronger-tasting leaves can then be added to give more flavour[K]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[8][9][10]. Also used as a flavouring in puddings etc.
A tea can be made from the leaves[9].
Flowers - raw. Used to decorate salads and desserts[15][16][9]. A sweet mild flavour with a delicate perfume, the flowers are an especially welcome decoration for the salad bowl since they are available in late winter[K]. The flowers are also used fresh to flavour and colour confectionery[17].
A soothing tea can be made from the leaves and flowers[9][14].
A leaf extract is used to flavour sweets, baked goods and ice cream[14].
Medicinal: Sweet violet has a long and proven history of folk use, especially in the treatment of cancer and whooping cough[6][18][19]. It also contains salicylic acid, which is used to make aspirin[20]. It is therefore effective in the treatment of headaches, migraine and insomnia[20].
The whole plant is anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, and laxative[6][11][13][21][18]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, coughs, asthma, and cancer of the breast, lungs or digestive tract[17]. Externally, it is used to treat mouth and throat infections[17]. The plant can either be used fresh, or harvested when it comes into flower and then be dried for later use[6].
The flowers are demulcent and emollient[22]. They are used in the treatment of biliousness and lung troubles[22]. The petals are made into a syrup and used in the treatment of infantile disorders[22].
The roots is a much stronger expectorant than other parts of the plant but they also contain the alkaloid violine which at higher doses is strongly emetic and purgative[6][20][23]. They are gathered in the autumn and dried for later use[11].
The seeds are diuretic and purgative. They have been used in the treatment of urinary complaints are considered to be a good remedy for gravel[6].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole fresh plant[6]. It is considered useful in the treatment of spasmodic coughs and rheumatism of the wrist[6].
An essential oil from the flowers is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of bronchial complaints, exhaustion and skin complaints[17].
Usage: An essential oil from the flowers and leaves is used in perfumery[24][25]. 1000kg of leaves produces about 300 - 400g absolute[21].
The flowers are used to flavour breath fresheners[17].
A pigment extracted from the flowers is used as a litmus to test for acids and alkalines[6][26][25][27].
Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[28]. They make an effective weed-excluding cover[K].
Pollinators: Bees, cleistogomy
Notes: An excellent all-year round leaf supply.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 McPherson, Alan and Sue McPherson. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press, 1977.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.