Genus: Viola

Common Names: "violet is the common name most often used for the small wildflower and its cultivated varieties; pansy refers to the larger garden flower first bred from wild violets in the early 19th century, and viola and violetta are commons names for cultivated flowers intermediate in size between pansies and violets (1)."

A genus of over 500 species. "Sweet violets were among the first flowers ever grown commercially. They were sold in markets in Athens as early as 400 BCE and were so valued that the violet became the city's symbol. Violets were used in cooking and to make wine, perfume, purple dye, garlands, and medicines ... Before sugar was readily available from the New World plantations, violet blossoms were used to sweeten foods  (1)."

Distribution: found mostly in the temperate Northern Hemisphere with a few exceptions.

1. Cumo, C. (2013). Encyclopedia of cultivated plants: From acacia to zinnia. ABC-CLIO.

Viola odorata

Common name(s): Sweet Violets

Description: Spreads as a low groundcover by seed and by rhizome. Edible, heart-shaped leaves and edible flowers- blooms in spring.

Height: to 6 in. Spread: to 15+ in.

Position: partial shade, tolerant of clay and poor soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- eaten fresh, candied or infused in syrup/honey/vinegar/etc., perfume, dye

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and lower