The records for plant uses for Viola pinnata all refer to a species growing in China. At the time those records were collated, it was considered that the range of Viola pinnata extended to China. However, it is now considered that Viola pinnata is restricted to southern Europe and that the forms found in China are a distinct species. In fact two closely related species have been erected, Viola dissecta Ledeb., and Viola chaerophylloides (Regel) W.Becker. We are unsure whether the recorded uses refer to just one or both of those species. We have left the records of uses under Viola pinnata, whilst also showing them under Viola dissecta and Viola chaerophylloides[].

Common Name:

General Information

Viola pinnata is a stemless, herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 10cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

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-violet to pale violet[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the Balkans

Habitat

Rocks, screes and grassland; at elevations mostly between 1,000 and 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
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[]. A calcicole species[].
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 slightly acid taste[]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[, ].

A tea can be made from the leaves[].

The edible uses ascribed above probably do not refer to this species - see the notes on taxonomy above. However, since this species is closely related to Viola dissecta and Viola chaerophylloides, and since all members of this genus are more or less edible, then the plant is most likely edible in the ways described above[].

Medicinal

The plant is considerered nourishing, purifying to the blood, and anodyne. It is bruised and applied to ulcers and foul sores[]. It is considered cleansing, and is mixed with turpentine, olibanum, ashes from burnt hair, charcoal from mulberry twigs, and made into a pill for use in dispersing cancerous tumors[].

The medicinal uses ascribed above probably do not refer to this species - see the notes on taxonomy above.

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.