Heartsease, Garden pansy, Johnny jump-up, Love-in-idleness
Viola tricolor

Family: Violaceae

What it is like

A short lived perennial. It is often grown as an annual. It grows 10-35 cm high and spreads 15-40 cm wide. The stem is branched. There are large, deeply divided stipules. The leaves are oval and pointed or lance shaped. They have shallow lobes or teeth. The flowers can have several colours.

Probably medicine.There are about 500 Viola species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Eurasia, Europe, Falklands, Germany, Haiti, India, Indochina, Italy, Jamaica, Korea, Laos, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Myanmar, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten in salads. They can be frozen in ice cube trays then added to punch bowls.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Daninoc, Divja vijolica, Hoa-tim tamsac, Macuhica, Paungda-pan, Stemorsblom

Synonyms

Viola kitaibeliana