Common Name: Bird's Foot Violet

General Information

Viola pedata is a stemless, herbaceous perennial plant forming a cluster of growth 5 - 30cm tall from a thick, fleshy rhizome[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and insect repellent. It is cultivated as an ornamental, valued for its showy flowers, and can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

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[, , ]. This species has blue, occasionally white flowers

Botanical References

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Range

Eastern N. America - Minnesota to Massachussetts, south to Texas, Alabama and Georgia

Habitat

Dry rocky banks, in open deciduous woods on well-drained soils and on the edges of ditches in acid sandy soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.05 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A beautiful species but very difficult in cultivation[]. It requires a very well-drained soil plus warmth and moisture in the summer. Some people have recommended that it should be grown on a clay soil, unpoisoned by humus[]. It has been seen growing on the shaley bank of a newly-made road in full sun[]. Species in this genus generally prefer 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.
Plants can self-sow when growing in optimum conditions[].
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[, , ].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[, ]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[, , ]. Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[].

A tea can be made from the leaves[, ].

The flowers are candied.

Medicinal

A poultice of the leaves has been used to allay the pain of a headache[].

An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of dysentery, coughs and colds[].

A poultice of the crushed root has been applied to boils[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A ground cover plant for slopes or open woodland areas[].

Other Uses

An infusion of the root has been used to soak corn seeds before planting in order to keep off insects[].

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.