Himalayan white violet
Viola canescens

Family: Violaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has soft hairs. It lies along the ground. It has long branched roots. It has leaves near the base. They are oval to kidney shaped. There are round teeth along the edge. The flowers can be blue, lilac or white. They are on an erect hairy stalk. The fruit capsule is round and has many seeds.

The flowers are used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in shady moist places. It grows between 2000-3500 m altitude in the hills in Uttar Pradesh.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Pakistan

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled for 30minutes then dried for 3 days and used as a substitute for tea.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Banafsha, Banaksha, Banfasa, Dundibirali, Ghatteghaans, Gugluphul, Ratmundi, Savar, Skoramindoq, Thunglu, Vanfsa

Synonyms

Viola serpens Wall.;