Common Name: Labrador Violet

General Information

Viola labradorica is an evergreen perennial plant forming a cluster of 1 - 5 erect stems 5 - 20cm tall from a somewhat woody rhizome[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is 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[, , ]. The flowers of this species are violet to lavender in colour[].

Botanical References

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Range

North-eastern N. America - Greenland, Manitoba to Newfoundland, south to Arkanas and Florida

Habitat

Woods and grassy places[]. Rich, mesic to wet woods, swamps, bogs; at elevations from 50 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Viola labradorica is hardy to about -25°c[].
Cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Succeeds in dense shade[]. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5.
The plant spreads in gardens, sometimes aggressively, by means of creeping stems and by self-seeding[].
There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[].
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[]. A mild flavour, though the leaves soon become quite tough[]. The leaves make a very acceptable addition to salads[]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[, ].

A tea can be made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground cover plant, fast spreading but slow to thicken up and may need weeding for the first year or so[, ]. Plants should be spaced about 30cm 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.