Viola keiskei aka Short Hair Violet

Viola keiskei is a small perennial, a plant that lives for years. It belongs to the violet family, Violaceae. It grows wild in North Korea and Japan. In Japan, its range covers southern Hokkaido. It also covers Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Plants For A Future records mountain sites in central and southern Japan. Kew places it in the temperate biome, a broad climate zone. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The RHS lists its name as unresolved.

The plant grows to about 0.7 feet (0.2 metres) tall. This makes it a low plant for garden beds. The sources give no width or full account of its leaves. They give no flower colour or fruit details for this species. Each flower has both male and female organs. Plants For A Future says insects pollinate the flowers. The evidence does not say when this species blooms.

Plants For A Future lists moist soil that drains well. Its entry for this species accepts sand, loam, and clay. It also lists soil from slightly acid to neutral. The plant can grow in light woodland shade or full sun. These are broad growing needs, not a tested care plan. The source is unsure how well it withstands British cold. Its native range suggests it could live outdoors there. But the source gives no firm rating for cold tolerance. Its other care notes cover the genus, not this species.

The food uses on record include young leaves and flower buds. People can eat these raw or cooked. In soup, they help make the liquid thick. The leaves can also serve as material for tea. Plants For A Future rates its edibility two out of five. It lists no known hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe for pets. The source lists no known uses as medicine or for other needs. The evidence gives no pest or disease details for this species.

Plants For A Future says to sow fresh seed in autumn. Use a cold frame. Sow stored seed in early spring. Move seedlings to their own pots once large enough to handle. Plant them outside in summer. You can also raise new plants by division, or splitting plants. Divide in autumn or soon after flowering. Plant larger pieces straight into their final spots. Keep small pieces in pots with light shade until growth strengthens. Set these out in summer or the next spring.