| Common Name | Latin Name | Plant Family |
|---|---|---|
|
Marsh Blue Violet |
Viola cucullata |
Violaceae |
A good ground cover plant but it is slow to thicken up and may need weeding for the first year or so[197].
An infusion of the root has been used to soak corn seeds before planting them in order to keep off insects[257].
Cultivation & Habitat
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.
Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Very intolerant of drought[187]. Succeeds in dense shade[197]. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5.
This plant produces cleistogamous flowers as well as the usual insect pollinated flowers[187]. It usually self-sows freely[188].
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].
A polymorphic species[188]. there are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[200].
Eastern N. America – Quebec to Ontario and south to Georgia.
Become ungovernable, break the chains of the matrix; grow and forage your own food and medicine.
*None of the information on this website qualifies as professional medical advice. Take only what resonates with your heart and use your own personal responsibility for what’s best for you. For more information [brackets] [000], see bibliography.