Violets
Viola odorata
Introduced From: Europe, Africa, western Asia, and/or the Middle East (depending on the species). Also some native species.
Family: Violaceae
Habitat: Widely cultivated in gardens and sometimes found in the wild.
Uses: Flowers are edible and are meant to taste really good. Leaves are also edible. The leaves are also medicinal and have been used for coughs, sore throats, and constipation.
Danger: WARNING: African violets are NOT viola and are NOT considered edible.
References: Richardson and Shepherd, The American Violet Society, Wikipedia
About Violets
The scent of violet flowers is distinctive with only a few other flowers having a remotely similar odor. The violet flower was a favorite in ancient Greece and became the symbol of Athens. The scent suggested sex, so the violet was an emblematic flower of Aphrodite and of her son, Priapus, the deity of gardens and generation.
Photo: Viola odorata, Sweet Violet. Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.
Photo: Viola odorata, Sweet Violet. Blaxland, Blue Mountains NSW.
See Also
Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
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