Bird's Foot Violet (Viola pedata)

Family: Violaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

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

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities. — Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked.; When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra.; Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities.; A tea can be made from the leaves.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry rocky banks, in open deciduous woods on well-drained soils and on the edges of ditches in acid sandy soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)