Common Name: Chinese Violet

General Information

Viola yezoensis is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of growth 5 - 12cm tall from a short, thin rhizome, sometimes with stolons[].
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 white, striped purple[].

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Japan, Korea

Habitat

Grassy fields in lowland, C. and S. Japan[]. Broad-leaved forests, montane thickets, grasslands on mountain slopes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Viola yezoensis is hardy to at least -15°c[].
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 with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[, , ].

Edible Uses

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

A tea can be made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

The whole plant is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and depurative[, , ]. It is used internally in the treatment of boils, carbuncles, snakebite, skin disorders, mumps etc[]. The plant is harvested when in flower and dried for later use[].

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.