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Viola tricolor - L.

Common Name Heartsease, Johnny jumpup, Field Pansy,
Family Violaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Cultivated and waste ground, short grassland etc, mainly on acid and neutral soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Corsica, W. Asia, Siberia, Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Viola tricolor Heartsease, Johnny jumpup, Field Pansy,


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Vonvikken
Viola tricolor Heartsease, Johnny jumpup, Field Pansy,
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:227_Viola_tricolor,_Viola_arvensis.jpg

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Purple, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid fall, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Viola tricolor is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to September, and the seeds ripen from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Lawn; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[105]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[85, 159]. A tea can be made from the leaves[85]. The small attractive flowers are added to salads or used as a garnish[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Antiasthmatic  Antiinflammatory  Antiseborrheic  Antispasmodic  Cardiac  Demulcent  Depurative  
Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Eczema  Emetic  Emollient  Epilepsy  Expectorant  
Homeopathy  Laxative  Vulnerary

Heartsease has a long history of herbal use and was at one time in high repute as a treatment for epilepsy, asthma, skin diseases and a wide range of other complaints[4]. In modern herbalism it is seen as a purifying herb and is taken internally in the treatment of skin complaints such as eczema[254]. The herb is anodyne, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, cardiac, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 13, 21, 46, 165]. Being expectorant, it is used in the treatment of various chest complaints such as bronchitis and whooping cough, whilst its diuretic action makes it useful for treating rheumatism, cystitis and difficulty in passing urine[254]. It is also used as an ointment for treating eczema and other skin complaints and is also useful in cases of rheumatism, bed-wetting etc[4, 9]. The plant is harvested from June to August and dried for later use[4]. The root is emetic[7]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the entire plant[4]. It is used in the treatment of cutaneous eruptions[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye  Litmus

Yellow, green and blue-green dyes are obtained from the flowers[168]. The leaves can be used in place of litmus in testing for acids and alkalis[4].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden. Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds[31, 53]. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high[200]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5[200]. A very variable species[4]. It is normally an annual plant, but it is sometimes a short-lived perennial[187]. A good bee plant[24]. Grows well with rye but dislikes growing with wheat[18]. 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[62, 85, 159]. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above, Fragrant flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Division in the autumn or just after flowering. The plant is a short-lived perennial and division is not that worthwhile.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Yasuhiko Ishihara   Thu Feb 19 2009

Hello, I appreciate if you can inform me the definition of edibility rating 2 rated for viola tricolor. What does it mean edibility rating from 1 to 5 in your web-site? I appreciate to know the definition, because I was asked by our government authority about the edibility of viola tricolor which is containing in our new product, a natural fertilizer recently ivented.

david   Thu Feb 19 2009

Yasuhiko, 5 means very edible, 1 means poor to eat in taste, texture etc and possibly things like mild toxicity (there are no reports of toxicity in this case). Naturally, these rating are somewhat subjective and open to question since different people and cultures can have differing tastes.

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Subject : Viola tricolor  
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