Viola mandshurica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viola mandshurica |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Viola (plant)
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| Species: |
mandshurica
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The Viola mandshurica is a type of violet plant. It grows back every year, so it's called a perennial. People in different countries have special names for it. In China, it's known as dōng běi jǐn cài, which means 'northeastern violet'. In Korea, it's called jebikkot, meaning 'sparrow flower'. And in Japan, it's simply sumire, meaning 'violet'.
In Japan, V. mandshurica is seen as the main type of violet. Other violet kinds often have extra words added to their names, like himesumire. The name mandshurica comes from Manchuria. This is a part of Asia where the plant naturally grows. Manchuria has been part of modern China, Korea, Mongolia, and the Russian Far East at different times in history.
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Where Does the Violet Grow?
This violet plant is originally from eastern Asia. You can find it as far west as eastern Siberia. It also grows all over China, Taiwan, and Korea. It reaches north into the Russian Far East, especially near the Ussuri River. You can also find it in most of Japan, even on the island of Okinawa.
This plant is very adaptable! It can grow in many different places. You might see it in quiet forests or even in busy city areas. It grows from low, flat lands to high mountains.
Many types of V. mandshurica have been grown by gardeners. These are popular plants for homes and gardens. The wild plant, and most garden types, like a spot with some shade. They also prefer soil that has lots of good stuff (humus) but isn't too wet.
What Does the Violet Look Like?
Like many other violet plants, Viola mandshurica doesn't have a tall stem. Its leaves and flowers grow straight from the ground. They actually come from a thick, underground root system called a rhizome. These rhizome roots are short and strong.
The leaves are usually shaped like an oval or a spear (lanceolate). They are typically a medium green color on both sides. However, some special types, like 'Fuji Dawn', have leaves with white, yellow, or pink spots and streaks.
The flowers of this violet are shaped like a trumpet. They have five petals and are symmetrical, meaning they look the same on both sides if you cut them down the middle. The lowest petal is often the smallest. All the petals are usually a rich purple color. But this color can change a bit depending on where the plant grows. Gardeners have also bred some types to have different colors.
How People Use the Violet
The flowers of V. mandshurica can be used to make special flower pancakes. These pancakes are an important part of the Korean Samjinnal festival. This festival celebrates the start of spring.
Different Kinds of Viola mandshurica
There are several known types of V. mandshurica:
- V. mandshurica f. albo-variegata: This type is also sold as "Fuji Dawn." It has leaves with pale markings against the normal green. Sometimes these markings even have a pink tint! These marks fade as the leaves get older, usually by midsummer. But it's still a popular plant for home gardens.
- V. mandshurica var. crassa: You often see this type near the coast, even on sandy beaches. Most other violet types can't grow in such sandy places. The name crassa comes from a Latin word meaning "thick." This refers to its shiny, leathery leaves. These thick leaves might help it grow well in sandy soil and full sun.
- V. mandshurica f. plena: This type has "double flowers." This means each flower has ten petals instead of the usual five. You can find these double flowers in different shades of purple.
- V. mandshurica var. triangularis: This type also grows well on beaches and can handle full sun, like var. crassa. Its name refers to its leaves, which are more pointed than other V. mandshurica types. They come to a point but are still much longer than they are wide. Like var. crassa, the leaves of this type are quite glossy.
