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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[1]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[2][3].

A tea can be made from the leaves[2].

The small attractive flowers are added to salads or used as a garnish[4].

Flowers

Leaves

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

Yellow, green and blue-green dyes are obtained from the flowers[5]. The leaves can be used in place of litmus in testing for acids and alkalis[6].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Heartsease has a long history of herbal use and was at one time in high repute as a treatment for epilepsy, asthma, skin diseases and a wide range of other complaints[6]. In modern herbalism it is seen as a purifying herb and is taken internally in the treatment of skin complaints such as eczema[7].

The herb is anodyne, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, cardiac, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative and vulnerary[6][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Being expectorant, it is used in the treatment of various chest complaints such as bronchitis and whooping cough, whilst its diuretic action makes it useful for treating rheumatism, cystitis and difficulty in passing urine[7]. It is also used as an ointment for treating eczema and other skin complaints and is also useful in cases of rheumatism, bed-wetting etc[6][9]. The plant is harvested from June to August and dried for later use[6]. The root is emetic[8].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the entire plant[6]. It is used in the treatment of cutaneous eruptions[6].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Division in the autumn or just after flowering. The plant is a short-lived perennial and division is not that worthwhile.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Viola tricolor. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds[14][15]. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high[16]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5[16].

A very variable species[6]. It is normally an annual plant, but it is sometimes a short-lived perennial[17]. A good bee plant[18]. Grows well with rye but dislikes growing with wheat[19].

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[20][2][3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Viola tricolor. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Viola tricolor.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Viola tricolor
Genus
Viola
Family
Violaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Viola tricolor.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press ISBN 0-253-28925-4 (1977-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.86.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    14. ? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    15. ? De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    18. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    19. ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    20. ? Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    21. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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