There has been considerable confusion over the correct identity of this taxon. We are following the treatment in the Flora of North America[], though the plant is also sometimes known as Viola palmata esculenta (Elliott ex Greene) D.B.Ward, and some local floras in N. America treat it as Viola exculenta Elliott ex Greene[].

Common Name:

General Information

Viola palmata heterophylla is a stemless, herbaceous perennial plant with a thick, fleshy rhizome; the plant has somewhat fleshy leaves, it forms a carpet of growth 6 - 50cm 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 blue.

Botanical References

Range

Southeastern N. America - Missouri to Virginia, south to Texas and Florida.

Habitat

Blackwater floodplains and other wet ground along streams, swamps; at elevations up to 100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 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[].
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[, , ].
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

Laves - raw or cooked. It can be used in making soups, where it helps to thicken it in much the same way as Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)[].

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.