Common Name:

General Information

Viola collina is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a sturdy, branched rhizome and forming a cluster of growth around 10cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

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[, , ]. The flowers of this species are usually purplish[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to Spain, east to central Asia, Russian Far East, China, Japan and Korea

Habitat

Forests, forest margins, thickets, grasslands, grassy slopes, mountain valleys, moist places along roadsides; at elevations up to 2,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Viola collina is found in most parts of Europe and is usually calcicole[].
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[].
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[, ]. The flowers of this species are usually purplish[] - 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[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.