Common Name: Horned Violet

General Information

Viola cornuta is an evergreen perennial plant with a prostrate to ascending stem, forming a cluster of growth around 20cm tall. Many cultivars have been developed with a range of characteristics from miniature, low and compact to long-stemmed and vigorous[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it 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 deep-violet flowers[].

Botanical References

Range

S. W. Europe - France, Andorra, Spain

Habitat

Mountain pastures.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in any fertile soil in full sun or partial shade[]. Prefers a well-drained moisture-retentive soil[]. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5[].
A very ornamental plant, there are many named forms[]. If the plants are cut back after flowering they will flower again in late summer[].
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 deep-violet flowers[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[, ].

Flowers - raw[].

A tea can be made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A useful ground cover plant for a cool open situation[]. It needs weeding for the first year or two[] but then forms an effective weed-excluding cover[]. Plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[].

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.