Herb: Stream Violet


Latin name: Viola glabella


Family: Violaceae (Violet Family)



Edible parts of Stream Violet:

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Some caution is advised, the yellow flowers of this species can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities. A tea can be made from the leaves.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
10 cm
(4 inches)

Flowering:
April
to May

Habitat of the herb:

Fairly moist woods or by streams.

Propagation of Stream 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:

Fairly moist woods or by streams.

Medicinal use of Stream Violet:

None known

Known hazards of Viola glabella:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.