Herb: Twoflower Violet


Latin name: Viola biflora


Family: Violaceae (Violet Family)



Medicinal use of Twoflower Violet:

The root is emetic. The flowers are antispasmodic, diaphoretic, emollient and pectoral. The leaves are emollient and laxative.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
May to
June

Habitat of the herb:

Rocky slopes and alpine meadows.

Edible parts of Twoflower Violet:

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Flowers - raw A tea can be made from the leaves.

Other uses of the herb:

The stems and fragrant blossoms have been placed in the clothes cupboard to impart a nice smell to the clothes.

Propagation of Twoflower Violet:

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.

Cultivation of the herb:

Rocky slopes and alpine meadows.

Known hazards of Viola biflora:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.