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Viola canadensis - L.

Common Name Canada Violet, Canadian white violet, Creepingroot violet
Family Violaceae
USDA hardiness 3-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich soils in deciduous woods and forests in the mountains[43, 62, 187].
Range N. America - Saskatchewan and south to Nebraska and the Rocky mountains.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Viola canadensis Canada Violet, Canadian white violet,  Creepingroot violet


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Annelis
Viola canadensis Canada Violet, Canadian white violet,  Creepingroot violet

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Viola canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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

Lophion canadense. Lophion rydbergii. Viola geminiflora. Viola muriculata. Viola neomexicana

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[62, 177, 183]. A very mild flavour, when boiled as greens they are best mixed with other stronger tasting leaves[183]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[62, 85, 159]. Flowers - raw[62, 85]. The leaves are a good tea substitute[62, 85, 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.
Emetic  Poultice

A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of pain in the bladder region[222, 257]. The roots and leaves have traditionally been used to induce vomiting, they have also been poulticed and applied to skin abrasions and boils[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A dynamic accumulator gathering minerals or nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any fertile soil in full sun or partial shade[233]. Prefers a cool position[233] in a 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. Hardy to about -25°c[187]. 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]. This species has mainly white flowers that are at first yellowish at the base then turn violet[222]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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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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Subject : Viola canadensis  
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