North China violet
Viola verecunda
Family: Violaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The aerial stems are 8-15 cm long. The rootstock is erect and 2 cm long. The leaves are kidney shaped. They are in rings. They are 1-4 cm long. The flowers are white or lilac. They occur singly on erect stems.
There are about 500 Viola species.
Where it is found
A temperate and subtropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The shoots and young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Hoa-tim khiem, Jin cai, Wild violet, Xiao du yao