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Viola pedata - L.

Common Name Bird's Foot Violet, Crowfoot Violet, Pansy Violet, Bird's Foot Violet
Family Violaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry rocky banks, in open deciduous woods on well-drained soils and on the edges of ditches in acid sandy soils[187].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Wisconsin and south to Florida and eastern Texas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Viola pedata Bird


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Viola pedata Bird
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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Viola pedata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[105, 183]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[85, 159, 183]. Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[62]. A tea can be made from the leaves[85, 183]. The flowers are candied.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Dysentery  Poultice

A poultice of the leaves has been used to allay the pain of a headache[257]. An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of dysentery, coughs and colds[257]. A poultice of the crushed root has been applied to boils[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Repellent

Landscape Uses: Alpine garden, Border, Rock garden, Woodland garden. An infusion of the root has been used to soak corn seeds before planting in order to keep off insects[257]. Faunal Associations: The flowers attract long-tongued bees, small butterflies, and skippers. Bee visitors during the spring include bumblebees and Anthophorine bees. Compared to other violets, the flowers of this species attracts more butterflies and skippers, which are often held horizontal to the ground (face up) and easier for such insects to land on. The caterpillars of various Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage and flowers; the caterpillars of Speyeria idalia (Regal Fritillary) may prefer this violet species over others as a food source. Ants are attracted to the sugary gel on the seeds, and help to distribute them [1-6].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A beautiful species but very difficult in cultivation[187]. It requires a very well-drained soil plus warmth and moisture in the summer. Some people have recommended that it should be grown on a clay soil, unpoisoned by humus[187]. It has been seen growing on the shaley bank of a newly-made road in full sun[187]. Cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5. All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, though those species with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities[62, 85, 159]. Special Features:North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario (south)), United States (Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

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Botanical References

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