Heartsease (Viola tricolor)

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

Bloom Color: Purple, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid fall, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

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. A tea can be made from the leaves. The small attractive flowers are added to salads or used as a garnish. — Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked.; When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra.; A tea can be made from the leaves.; The small attractive flowers are added to salads or used as a garnish.

Habitat & North American Range

Cultivated and waste ground, short grassland etc, mainly on acid and neutral soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)