Viola biflora aka Alpine Yellow Violet

Viola biflora is a small alpine perennial in the violet family. Common names include twoflower violet and Arctic yellow violet. Kew lists its native range from the Russian Far East to Japan. Plants For A Future gives a wider Asian range. This includes central Asia, China, Korea, and the Himalayas. It grows in alpine meadows, thickets, and forest edges. It also grows in cracks among rocks at high elevations.

Plants reach about 0.33 feet (0.1 metres) tall in gardens. Their spread ranges from 0.33–1.64 feet (0.1–0.5 metres). They form clumps and spread through creeping rhizomes. The green leaves have a kidney shape and scalloped edges. The plant sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round. Small yellow flowers appear in late spring and summer. Purple-brown veins mark the lower petals. Plants take two to five years to reach full size.

Grow this violet in partial shade with shelter from harsh sun. It also needs protection from cold winds that dry the leaves. Keep the soil moist, but allow excess water to drain. The RHS lists chalk, clay, and loam as suitable soils. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Its RHS hardiness rating is H7. This places it among plants suited to very cold European winters. Seed is a means of raising new plants. It needs no pruning.

This low plant suits rock gardens and informal planting schemes. The RHS also suggests meadows, banks, and slopes. Its small size allows use in beds with other low plants. Though often free of disease, it can develop leaf spot. Powdery mildew, rust, and virus diseases are further risks. Slugs and snails may damage the plant. Aphids and violet leaf midges may also attack it. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy.

Plants For A Future lists young leaves and flower buds as food. These can be eaten raw or cooked and can thicken soups. Flowers can be eaten raw, and leaves can make tea. However, the source warns against eating large amounts of yellow violet flowers. These may cause diarrhoea, so edible does not mean harmless. The same source records medicinal uses for roots, leaves, and flowers. These include laxative uses and uses intended to ease spasms. The root has been used to induce vomiting. Stems and scented flowers have also been used to scent clothes.