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Violaceae FAMILY

Viola obtusa

Viola obtusa

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

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 Title A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Publication Author Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold Year 1982 ISBN 0442222009 Description Very readable. , 85 Title Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. Publication Author Harrington. H. D. Publisher University of New Mexico Press Year 1967 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 Description A superb book. Very readable, it gives the results of the authors experiments with native edible plants. , 159 Title Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Publication Author McPherson. A. and S. Publisher Indiana University Press Year 1977 ISBN 0-253-28925-4 Description A nice pocket guide to this region of America. ]. The flowers of this species are deep red purple, occasionally white.

Botanical Description

Viola obtusa is a herbaceous perennial plant with erect to ascending stems; it can grow 2 - 12cm tall[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate
Native RangeE. Asia - central and southern Japan, Korea, Taiwan
HabitatThickets and sunny slopes[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ]. Hillsides and mountains[ 275 Title Flora of Japan Publication Author Website http://www.foj.info Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource. ].