Alaska Violet Pictures

Description
           The Alaska Violet (Viola langsdorffii) is not actually restricted to Alaska as it's name may suggest. This flower is native to land throughout western North America, stretching from Alaska to Oregon, and East Asia as well.The Alaska Violet is a perennial flower that does not normally grow above 10 cm in height. The plant flowers in April and May. The Alaska Violet has both female and male reproductive organs, making this flower a hermaphrodite species. The Alaska Violet likes to grow in damp or wet areas, like marshes, bogs and swamps. The soil needs to be well-drained, and be either dense clay, light sand or a loamy soil to grow well.

Edible uses of the Alaska Violet
          Both the flowers and the leaves of the Alaska Violet are edible. When the flower is young, the leaves and the flower buds can eaten raw, and are often included in soups. The leaves of the older plants are often included in tea mixtures.


Alaska Violet Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
 - Division: Magnoliophyta
  - Class: Magnoliopsida
   - Order: Malpighiales
    - Family: Violaceae
     - Genus: Viola
      - Species: Viola langsdorfii
Growing the Alaska Violet
        The Alaska Violet grows best in a cool and moist loose soil and humus mixture. Keep the plant in partial shade and out of the way of strong winds. Keep the pH of the soil between 6 and 6.5. If the pH becomes too high, the Alaska Violet will become chlorotic.

Propagating the Alaska Violet

Starting with the seed, they are best sown in a cold frame during the early spring months. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots and put them out in the summer.

Division of the Alaska Violet will normally occur just after the plant flowers, but may happen a bit later in the fall months. Smaller divisions are best started in greenhouses or outdoors in partial shade. The larger divisions can be planted outdoors, directly into their final positions.