Herb: Palmate Violet


Latin name: Viola palmata


Family: Violaceae (Violet Family)



Medicinal use of Palmate Violet:

Emollient.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
12 cm
(4 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
April
to May

Habitat of the herb:

Rich deciduous woods, shaded calcareous ledges etc.

Edible parts of Palmate Violet:

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked. The leaves have a mucilaginous texture and when added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Flowers - raw or added to jams etc. A tea can be made from the leaves.

Propagation of the herb:

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 Palmate Violet:

Rich deciduous woods, shaded calcareous ledges etc.

Known hazards of Viola palmata:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.