A lovely wildflower for your flower and medicinal garden.
This tiny wildflower has very high levels of the antioxidant resveratrol. Resveratrol is well-known for its many health promoting effects including anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and antioxidant effects (Weiskirchen and Weiskirchen 2016). In fact, the levels of resveratrol in Viola arvensis are off the charts compared to another well known source of resveratrol– red wine. In their paper, Edible Flowers – Antioxidant activity and impact on cell viability, the authors report: “a high amount of resveratrol (5,708.05 μg/g), and small amounts of gallic acid, coumaric acid and rutin were detected in V. arvensis.”
For comparison, the levels of resveratrol in red wine are reported for Merlot as 5.5 μg/g & 7.8 μg/g and for Cabernet Sauvignon as 1.5 μg/g & 2.7 μg/g in the paper Plant Foods and Herbal Sources of Resveratrol (Burns et al 2002).
Another intriguing fact about Viola arvensis – it has very long-lived seed. In a paper published in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science, Doohan and Monaco (1992) report that (exhumed) Viola arvensis seeds that were confirmed to be 300 years and 400 years old were found to be viable and germinated! I am not sure what that means in terms of plant properties or human health, but those are some pretty good genetics.
Although eating Viola arvensis (or drinking red wine) will not give you therapeutic doses of resveratrol, you are doing your body good when you include Viola arvensis in your diet. Use the flowers and leaves in salads, sandwiches, potato salads and desserts – they have a lovely, mild wintergreen flavour.
Check out our story, “Edible Ornamental Flowers and Antioxidants” in the magazine, Canada’s Local Gardener. You can read the digital version HERE.
How to Plant: Ease of Germination: Moderate. Seeds need darkness for germination. This is the most important thing to know about starting Viola arvensis from seed. Sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, cover lightly with soil. And then place newspaper, black plastic or aluminum foil over the container/seed tray. Viola seeds usually germinate in 1-2 weeks. You can also sow seeds directly outdoors. Viola does best in a semi-shady spot.
Location: Sun, Partial sun
Life cycle: Annual
Usable Parts: Flowers, Leaves (dried, fresh)
Uses: Tea, Salad, Tincture
Height: 3 to 4 inches
