Viola pilosa

Family: Violaceae

What it is like

A small creeping herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is almost without a stem. The rhizome is erect and 3-5 cm long by 2-4 mm wide. The leaves are near the base. The flowers are purplish-white. The fruit is a flattened capsule 5-10 mm across and it can be hairy. The seeds have dotted lumps on their surface.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mountain forests between 800-3,000 m above sea level in south China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The shoots are cooked with dry fish and eaten. They are also used raw. The flowers and leaves are used for flavouring tea.

Shoots are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flowers - tea, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Banaksha, Banapsha, Hoa-tim long, Huikhong, Jorsing, Lilo, Mansang, Tekro, Mansam, Ratkan

Synonyms

Viola pogonantha W. W. Sm.; Viola serpens Wall. ex Ging.; and others