Viola reichenbachiana

Family: Violaceae

What it is like

UPDATE 30/08/2011: Viola reichenbachiana was originally incorrectly added to the database as Viola reichanbachiana.

Viola reichenbachiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from March to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Woods, hedgebanks etc, usually on calcareous soils.

Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain, the Caucasus and Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities. A tea can be made from the leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The plant is used as a pectoral in the treatment of chest complaints, including tubercular problems. It is also used to treat cholera. The stems, leaves and flowers are bruised and applied to foul sores and wounds. They are also used to treat bites and stings.

Cholera: Used in the treatment of cholera - an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

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. Closely related to V. riviniana. 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.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

V. sylvestris. Lam.