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Violet

Edible Edible Autumn Autumn Spring Spring Summer Summer Winter Winter

The roots and seeds of this plant are toxic and should not be eaten. The flowers were traditionally used as a flavouring in puddings and sweets or crystallized and used as an edible decoration.

Hedgerow Type
Common Names Violet, Wood Violet, Sweet Violet, English Violet
Scientific Name Viola odorata
Season Start Jan
Season End Dec
Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.

Leaves

Dark, shiney, slightly crinkly, heart shaped leaves.

Flowers

Delicate purple to blueish, flowering from March to May. White examples can be found.

Habitat

Hedgerows, woodland and shady scrub.

Possible Confusion

The largest leaves could be confused with winter heliotrope so its best to identify while in flower.

Smell

Sweet and violet like.

Taste

The flowers taste faintly sweet and like ‘Parma violets’ the sweets. The young leaves can be eaten as a green vegetable or in salads.

Frequency

Common.

Collecting

It is best to take just a few flowers or leaves as it looks better growing and does not have a particularly strong flavour.

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