What is wild violet (Viola)?
Wild violet, (Viola soroia) is a herbaceous perennial plant that have the leaves and flowers come straight up from the roots / rhizomes. They make a small basal rosette of leaves.
How do you identify wild violets?
Each flower appears on its own leafless stalk. Depending on location, the flower blooms from early spring into the early summer months. Purple/blue tends to dominate the wild violets although they are also yellow and white.
Are violets edible?
But it isn’t only the flowers that are edible. The leaves can also be used in your salad mix. You can cook them, too, though they’re a bit bland. The leaves are just as full of nutrients as the flowers, so don’t neglect to include them on your list of foods to forage in the spring. Wild violets make a surprisingly healthy food source.
What are wild violets and how do you eat them?
Unlike African violets, wild violets can be on your list of cool things to add to your salad. The flowers add unexpected color and a sweet flavor to your favorite greens and sandwiches. And they add a creative flair to dessert decorations. But it isn’t only the flowers that are edible. The leaves can also be used in your salad mix.
See more
What does violets taste like?
TheViola Odorata, or sweet wood violet, is commonly the one that grows in the wild, with blue petals and heart-shaped leaves. The flavour profile is sweet to mildly “green”, and the best way to assess this is always to taste. Highly perfumed violets work best in beverages, teas and desserts.
Can you eat wild violets?
Harvesting wild violet Leaves are edible but because the leaves are easily confused with other non-edible plants it is important to stick with the sure bet if you are unfamiliar with violets and their look-alikes. Violet flowers can be used to garnish salads or flavor vinegar and syrup.
How can you tell if wild violets are edible?
1:403:24Wild Violets: Uses & identification - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe ones that we have have a waxy leaf with slightly serrated edges both the leaves and flowers canMoreThe ones that we have have a waxy leaf with slightly serrated edges both the leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked.
Are wild blue violets edible?
Edible Uses of Wild Violets Both the leaves and blossoms are edible, either raw or cooked, and are extremely high in vitamin C. The flowers are a wonderful late winter or early spring treat, and are often made into violet jelly or violet syrup.
Are violet weeds edible?
Violets with yellow flowers, such as the round-leaf yellow violet, which grows in swamps (V. rotundifolia), are edible as well. Another tasty species is the swamp blue violet (Viola cucullata), easy to distinguish because its flower rises high above the basal leaves.
Are any violets poisonous?
Lesser celandine, right, is toxic raw and at later stages of it's life. The only potentially dangerous look-a-like for wild violets would be lesser celandine, Ficaria verna, (formerly known as Ranuculus ficaria). Lesser celandine is toxic, when eaten raw or after the plant flowers.
Are purple violets edible?
So, can you eat violets? Indeed, you can! Violets, both the leaves and flowers, contain high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A. The edible violet plant can be used to make syrups, brew teas, and in baked desserts.
Are roses edible?
Roses petals have a very aromatic, floral and slightly sweet flavor. They can be eaten raw, mixed into various fruit or green salads or dried and added to granola or mixed herbs. Fresh rose petals can also be muddled and added to liquid to create rose-infused beverages, jams and jellies.
How do I identify wild violets?
Weed avengers: Identifying wild violetLeaves: Wild violet boasts smooth, green, heart-shaped leaves, with pointed tips and rounded teeth. ... Flowers: Wild violet produces a typical violetlike flower. ... Stalks: Flowers are produced on leafless stalks that are no longer than the leaves themselves.More items...•
Are peonies edible?
Highly fragrant and highly showy, these blooms are a treasure among home landscapes. Yet one feature of these plants is often overlooked: They are edible. In fact, not only can the petals be used for flavoring drinks, topping salads and making jams, peonies have a long medicinal history, as well.
Are wild yellow violets edible?
Most wild foods authors report that the blue and white flowered species of violet are all edible, but not the yellow flowered species.
Is Creeping Charlie edible?
As a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy) is edible. A prime and often cursed at weed of turfgrass and other landscape areas, creeping Charlie is native to Europe and southern Asia but was brought into North America for use medicinally.
What is a wild violet?
The common wild violet is a native wildflower which tends to favour woods, thickets and stream banks. This is a low-growing perennial which features heart-shaped leaves and large blue-violet flowers (sometimes yellow or white). Each flower appears on its own leafless stalk.
What are the edible parts of violet?
Edible Parts. Violet flowers and leaves are edible with the leaves having a high level of vitamins A and C. They can be used in salads or cooked as greens. The flowers can be made into jellies, candied, or tossed into a salad.
How big do violet leaves get?
The leaf margin is serrated (toothed) and they do not have any hairs. They can grow to anywhere between 13mm and 50mm in width.
Where do violets live?
Habitat. Wild violets are native to many areas throughout (central and eastern) Canada and the US. Although they are located in Europe, they are not as common as they are in Canada and the US. There are wild violets in Australia as well.
When do wild violets bloom?
Flowers bloom in early spring and usually by the time the temperatures get hot the flowers die off but the leaves remain. Fields of Nutrition has medicinal benefits and vitamin/mineral content of Wild Violet.
Do wild violets die in the summer?
Wild violets are beautiful when in bloom but as the temperatures warm up the flowers tend to wilt and die off by the heat of the summer. These flowers tend to start growing in shady areas and spread to sunnier locations should the conditions be favourable. This edible plant is not liked in many areas as it can take over a lawn.
Do edible flowers wilt?
As far as edible flowers go, they have a great smell, but, like most flowers, they’re going to wilt pretty fast, and have a short shelf life. There are methods for preserving them to enjoy throughout the year, the most popular being making violet syrup, or candying by dipping in beaten egg white, dipping in sugar and dehydrating. Candied, or very fresh, the make a great garnish for cakes and sweets for special occasions. Mostly I just eat the greens.
Can violet stems cause a reaction?
Violet Stem Sensitivity. Like a number of wild foods, lily shoots for example, some parts of the plant can cause a mild reaction with some people. While I was eating a large amount of these raw, I found, that with violet stems in particular, I’m one of those people.
Can you eat violets?
Violets are going to be at their best when they’re young, like just about everything else. You can definitely eat them as the season moves on, but they start to get tough fast. Cooking or blanching older leaves is a good treatment, or making pureed or finely chopped leaves into soups.
How to identify violets?
Identification: Violets can be identified by their heart shaped leaves which are pointed at their tip and have rounded teeth on their margins. Violets spread by short rhizomes and by seed. Short rhizomes about the size of your “pinky” finger are common to all Indiana wild violet species.
What are the cultural practices of violets?
Cultural control: Cultural practices such as proper mowing, fertilization, and irrigation can be manipulated to control some weed species but these practices have little impact on wild violet populations in lawns.
Is a wild violet a perennial?
Wild violets are a persistent, perennial, and difficult-to-control broadleaf plant. It is regarded as a desirable perennial plant by some as well as a weed by others. Common blue violet. Wild violets in a shady lawn. Wild violet leaf.
Is a wooly violet the same color as a confederate violet?
Common blue violet. Wooly blue violets have the same flower color. Confederate violet. The confederate violet and common blue violet are often found in the same area. Yellow violet. Following flowering and pollination, fruit capsules form. Seed is dispersed from the capsules by gravity after the capsules dry.
What are wild violets?
Unlike African violets, wild violets can be on your list of cool things to add to your salad. The flowers add unexpected color and a sweet flavor to your favorite greens and sandwiches. You can use them to decorate desserts as well. Wild violets are also rich in vitamins A and C (more vitamin C by weight than oranges!) as well as other vitamins and minerals.
Why do we need violets in spring?
Violets are perfect for this because they help your body to eliminate waste by stimulating the lymphatic glands to get rid of toxins in the body. Violets are also known to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Why do violets help with sore throats?
Violets are also known to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. Spring is a typical time for sore throats, colds, sinus infections, and other respiratory conditions. Violets, eaten or taken as a tea can help soothe these issues.
Why do Native Americans use violets?
A poultice from violets has also been used to treat headaches by Native Americans. This may be due to the salicylic acid contained in the flower, which is also found in aspirin. Because violets also have antiseptic properties, they can also be used in salves or ointments to treat minor scrapes and bruises.
When to harvest wild violets?
Harvesting wild violet. Now is a good time to start looking for wild violets. They are most commonly found in May and June in most areas. Gather them up and use the petals fresh, but also dry some violet flowers for use throughout the year.
Can African violets be confused with wild violets?
First of all, do not confuse wild violets with African violets. You are looking for the violets with the botanical name of Viola sororia or Viola sororia albiflora. They are not even close to being the same thing. African violets make gorgeous houseplants, but definitely should not be on your list of fun things to throw into your salad. They will make you very sick.
Is it good to collect wild violets?
Wild violets as medicine. It’s fun to find wild foods to add to the menu, especially if you have kids who can help harvest them , but it’s even better when those foods have health benefits. Wild violets have several notable advantages that make them worth collecting.
What is a wild violet?
Wild violet, (Viola soroia) is a herbaceous perennial plant that have the leaves and flowers come straight up from the roots / rhizomes. They make a small basal rosette of leaves. If they are allowed to grow unchecked, this rosette can become about 6″ (15 cm) across and 3-4″ (10 cm) tall.
When do wild violets bloom?
Wild violet is a small purple/blue flowers that emerge in early spring. They commonly grow in yards, gardens, borders of forests. But generally don’t take over an area unless they are left unchecked for a long time.
How do I propagate wild violets?
Violets can be propagated by seed or division. The seeds of wild violets are thrown from the plant when mature. This can be a difficult se ed to germinate, so it is best to let mother nature do it for you. Just scatter seeds in the general area you wish to grow them, then watch for heart shaped leaves to emerge in spring/summer. But, if you are dead set on germinating the seeds yourself, then OK.
How many petals does a wild violet have?
The flowers of wild violet are dark purple, with 5 petals. The inner-throat of the flower is white. Two petals are on top, two on the side, and a final petal at the bottom. It is thought that the 5th petal on the bottom is for insects/pollinators to land on. The flowers will bloom for 4-6 weeks.
What is the best soil for a violet?
Hence, it is common to find them along forest roads, open woods, and in lawns. They grow best in moist to medium soil.
What temperature does a flower fade?
Once the temperatures get hot, above 80 F (27 C) the flowers generally fade and disappear. There is an additional self-pollinating flower ( cleistogamous) that will produce seeds. The seeds are thrown from the flower when the pod is breached from seed maturation or other forces acting upon it.
How long do purple flowers last?
Bloom duration. These can make a stunning display in mass plantings, as you will essentially have a purple carpet of flowers that will last for one month to six weeks long. They are an early Spring bloomer, and could very well be used as a compliment to our other early Spring bloomers you should have in your garden.
Can violets be grown in containers?
They also make excellent choices for instant ground cover in a woodland garden. They can even be grown in containers.
Can violets be sown in fall?
Seeds can also be collected and then sown in fall either indoors or in a cold frame. Wild violet plants are not usually affected by many problems, however, their foliage is occasionally affected by spider mites in dry weather. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 03/19/21. Read more about Violets.
Can you cut back a wild violet?
If desired, cutting the flower stalks back can help alleviate problems with spurting seeds. Those choosing to propagate wild violets can divide established plants in spring or fall, though their self-seeding capabilities make this unnecessary.
Do wild violets need water?
When growing violets, other than watering following planting and occasional watering throughout the growing season, wild violet flowers require very little care. These resilient little plants tend to take care of themselves.
Do violets take care of themselves?
Image by John. Learning to grow violet flowers is easy. In fact, they pretty much take care of themselves in the garden. Keep reading to learn more about wild violets care.
Can wild violets be invasive?
The only downside to this attribute is the fact that wild violets have a tendency to become invasive, popping up nearly everywhere, if not controlled with some type of barrier. Wild violet plants also spread through underground rhizomes.
What does violet jelly taste like?
Though the flavor is difficult to describe, most of the people that taste tested it described it as similar to grape, myself included.
Directions to Make Violet Flower Jelly
Gather two to three cups of violet blossoms and pour 2 1/2 cups of boiling water over them.
How to identify wild violets?
Identifying Wild Violets. Wild violets are easily recognized by their low growth habit; waxy, heart-shaped leaves; and small lavender, white, or yellow flowers. The plants are commonly around 4 to 6 inches high, though they can grow taller in the right conditions.
Why do wild violets bloom?
Because wild violets have pretty flowers that bloom early and often, not everyone regards this plant as a weed. Many homeowners choose to let these wildflowers grow in their lawns and elsewhere. There are several reasons for tolerating wild violets in the lawn: It makes for a low-maintenance lawn.
How to get rid of violets in my yard?
Add surfactant or a tablespoon of dish soap to the weed killer. The waxy leaves of wild violets can cause the herbicide to run off, but the surfactant will help it stick and be absorbed.
When to use herbicide on wild violets?
Using herbicide to eradicate wild violets is best undertaken in the fall. At this time, the herbicide will be transported down to the taproot as the plant stores nutrients for winter. Thus, you have a good chance of the herbicide killing the plant all the way down to ground level with a fall application.
How to pull violets?
Wear thick gardening gloves to protect your hands as you pull the violets. First, moisten the area thoroughly with a garden hose, and wait about a half hour. The water will loosen the soil and make it easier to pull the plants.
Can wild violets be eaten?
It is conducive to natural landscape design, as wild violets are a native species. 2 . Wild violets are also edible weeds. Both the flowers and leaves can be eaten, and young leaves have a pleasant nutty taste. Plus, some people use wild violets medicinally.
Can violets spread to lawns?
These are perennial plants that spread both by rhizomes and by seeds. And lawns that are not well maintained are often colonized by spreads of violets. Shady areas of a lawn are especially susceptible to a wild violet takeover.
Cultivation
Characteristics
- Distinguishing Features: The common wild violet is a native wildflower which tends to favour woods, thickets and stream banks. This is a low-growing perennial which features heart-shaped leaves and large blue-violet flowers (sometimes yellow or white). Each flower appears on its own leafless stalk. Depending on location, the flower blooms from earl...
Morphology
- Leaves: Violet leaves are palmate, alternate, and are somewhat an oblong heart or kidney shape. The leaf margin is serrated (toothed) and they do not have any hairs. They can grow to anywhere between 13mm and 50mm in width.
Description
- Height: Wild violets, depending on geographical location and soil quality grow anywhere from 15cm to 25cm tall.
Habitat
- Habitat: Wild violets are native to many areas throughout (central and eastern) Canada and the US. Although they are located in Europe, they are not as common as they are in Canada and the US. There are wild violets in Australia as well. They can thrive in medium, well-drained soils although they prefer moisture-retentive, rich soils. Although they survive in full sun, they tend to …
Cuisine
- Edible parts: Violet flowers and leaves are edible with the leaves having a high level of vitamins A and C. They can be used in salads or cooked as greens. The flowers can be made into jellies, candied, or tossed into a salad.