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Viola_adunca - Sm.

Common Name Western Dog Violet, Hookedspur violet, Kirk's violet
Family Violaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp banks and edges of meadows in most forest communities, 1500 - 2400 metres from Alaska to N. California[71].
Range Eastern and Western N. America - Alaska to California, also Ontario to Quebec and New Brunswick.
Edibility Rating    (3 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_adunca Western Dog Violet, Hookedspur violet, Kirk


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Thegreenj
Viola_adunca Western Dog Violet, Hookedspur violet, Kirk
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Viola_adunca is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile.
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

Lophion aduncum. Viola bellidifolia. Viola clarkiae. Viola cordulata. Viola desertorum.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[177, 183]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[62, 85, 159]. A tea can be made from the dried leaves[183].

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.


An infusion of the leaves and roots has been used to treat stomach problems and asthma in children[257]. An infusion of the roots and leaves has been used as a wash and poultice on sore and swollen joints[257]. The roots and leaves have been chewed by women during childbirth[257]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been applied to sore eyes[257]. A poultice of the crushed flowers has been applied to the side or chest in the treatment of pain[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A blue dye can be obtained from the flowers[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a 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[200]. 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]. There is at least one named form selected for its ornamental value[200]. 'Alba' has white flowers[200]. Flowers formed late in the season are cleistogamous (lacking petals, the flowers do not open but are self-pollinated)[212].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Viola aduncaWestern Dog Violet, Hookedspur violet, Kirk's violetPerennial0.1 4-8  LMHSNM312

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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Expert comment

Author

Sm.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   May 7 2010 12:00AM

This is a very important larval host plant for the threatened Oregon Silverspot Butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta). If you live on the coast of Oregon or Washington, please help protect areas where this plant grows, and plant some in your yard! I have been growing some in my yard and also have been looking for it in the wild areas around here (near 98607). I have found several that fit the description (blue, hooked spur) but have very different looking leaves and flower colors from each other so I'm a little confused as to the "real" viola adunca.

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