Common Name: Stream Violet

General Information

Viola glabella is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 1 - 3 erect or prostrate stems 3 - 38cm tall from a fleshy rhizome[].
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, like this one, that have yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[, , ].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East. Western N. America - Alaska, British Colombia, Alberta, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, California.

Habitat

Fairly moist woods or by streams[]. Damp, wet, or shady places in forests, stream banks; at elevations up to 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects, Cleistogamous
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

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[].
All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, though those species, such as this one, with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[, , ].
Like several other members of this genus, this species has two types of flower. The first type has petals and is pollinated by insects, the second type, known as cleistogamous, does not have petals, never opens, but self-fertilizes and produces fertile seed[].

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, the yellow flowers of this species 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.