Pubescent Violet

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Pubescent violet (lat. Viola hirta) - a herbaceous perennial densely pubescent plant of the genus Violet (lat. Viola) of the Violet family (lat. Violaceae). It is grown in culture much more often than fragrant violet (lat. Viola odorata). But, since outwardly these two species are very similar, it is often mistakenly called the Fragrant Violet, although its flowers are less fragrant. The plant has healing powers. Young leaves and flowers are edible.

What's in your name

The pubescent violet is quite consistent with the Latin name of the genus, having a purple color of flower petals. After all, the Latin word "Viola" in translation means "purple".

The specific epithet "hirta", which is translated as "pubescent", is assigned to the plant for the addiction of this type of Violet to cover all its parts with whitish hairs, from which their natural colors fade somewhat, as if they are covered with noble gray hair.

The main plant name has synonyms, for example, “

Violet short-haired ».

In culture, under the guise of Fragrant Violet, pubescent violet is much more often grown, or hybrids of these two species, since they are all very similar in appearance. Only true botanists can distinguish them by very subtle morphological features, which an ordinary florist does not know about. But, nevertheless, there are a number of distinctive "clues": the flowers of the Violet pubescent either have a very weak aroma, or are completely devoid of it; the rhizome of Violet fragrant forms stolons, superficial shoots, which is not characteristic of Violet pubescent.

Description

The basis of perennial Violet pubescent is a multi-headed creeping rhizome with a wide network of adventitious roots. Unlike Fragrant Violets, this species does not form stolons - aerial shoots. From the rhizome, root rosettes of leaves and peduncles rise to the surface of the earth. The plant is very hardy.

The leaves of the basal rosette are located on long pubescent petioles. The length of the petioles and the size of the leaf plate depend on the season, in summer the petioles are longer, and the leaves are larger in size. The leaf blade in youth is covered with dense pubescence on both sides, which is why the green color is somewhat muffled, acquiring a grayish tint. Aging, the leaves gradually lose their pubescence, becoming almost naked. The shape of the leaves varies from ovoid to cordate. The edge of the leaf plate is decorated with a wavy fine-toothed edging, which gives the leaves a decorative charm.

In April-May, on long pubescent peduncles, single violet-bluish or lilac flowers appear in the world. Lanceolate or ovate bracts are located below the middle of the peduncle, their edges are covered with cilia. Compared with Fragrant Violet, the aroma of flowers of the described species is very weak, or absent altogether.

The bisexual flower shape typical for plants of the Viola genus includes five petals of various shapes and sizes, as well as a pointed spur.

Usage

In addition to the fact that the plant can decorate a summer cottage, its completely edible flowers with a mild sweetish taste can decorate salads and desserts. Young leaves and flower buds are also added to salads and soups. When boiled, the leaves look like boiled Okra (or, Okra, Gombo …).

Tea is prepared from leaves and flowers, which has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Since ancient times, Violet pubescent, along with fragrant and tricolor violets, has been used for the treatment of ailments by folk healers. All parts of the plant, from roots to flowers, have a number of healing abilities: relieve headaches, insomnia; used as an anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, expectorant; write that it helps in the treatment of cancer.