Viola x wittrockiana Pansy PFAF Plant Database

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Viola x wittrockiana - Gams.

Common Name

Pansy

Family

Violaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Not known in the wild.

Range

A hybrid species of garden origin.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Viola x wittrockiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from Jun to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.


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biolib.de

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves.
Edible Uses: Tea.

Young leaves and flower buds - raw, cooked or used as a garnish[183]. A stronger flavour than most other members of this genus[183]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[85, 159]. Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[62]. A tea can be made from the leaves[85].

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. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

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[200]. A hybrid species of garden origin, there are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. There is at least one cultivar selected for its edible qualities[183]. 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].

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. This species is a hybrid, so might not breed true from seed. 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.

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Expert comment

Author
Gams.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[62]Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants.

Very readable.

[85]Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains.

A superb book. Very readable, it gives the results of the authors experiments with native edible plants.

[159]McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana.

A nice pocket guide to this region of America.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Bruce Feldman	Fri Aug 28 2009

Dr. James A. Duke, in his book The Green Pharmacy, page 446, writes that pansy flowers contain a significant amount of rutin, as does violet flowers, and are useful in strengthening the capillaries to treat varicose veins.

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Subject : Viola x wittrockiana

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