Violet family, Violaceae
Violets are a low growing perennial that has smooth heart-shaped leaves. The
flowers are blue and edible. Violets can live in the sun, part shade, and shade.
They like good drainage and will tolerate moisture. The violet flower is self-
pollinating, which means it doesn’t rely on insects or wind to propagate. The
seeds are thrown by mechanical ejection from three-parted seed capsules. The
seeds are often transported by ants. Baby plants will germinate around the
mother plant. Violets are host plants for the mining bee Andrena violae, a
specialist pollinator common to the Eastern U.S. that only visits violets. Nurture
violets to feed this bee! Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies and bees.
Several species of violets live in Louisiana including: Prostrate Blue Violet, Bird’s
Foot, and Primrose-leaved violets. As you explore our state, look for these
beauties. The leaves and flowers are edible. Steaming the young leaves, after
removing the stems, produces a nice spinach-like dish. The flowers are great in
salads and in drinks.
Photo credits: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VISO
Spiderworts, Tradescantia spp.
Spiderwort is a monocot that is a low-growing perennial. It loves sun and shade. It
lives in moist as well as dry soils. The leaves are simple and arranged alternate
on the stem. The leaves are shaped linear and lanceolate and wrap around the
stem. The flowers are blue. When touched by the heat of the day, the flowers
shrivel and turn into a fluid jelly. Spiderwort will grow roots on stems placed in
water. In the spring, cut stems into lengths of about 5”. Remove the bottom leaves
to expose a node. After roots form, place in soil. Larger plants can be divided.
This plant will self-seed. Watch for babies! The leaves and stems are
edible. Flowers are great in salads and in drinks. Stems and leaves can be eaten
raw and leaves can also be cooked. The stalks when steamed compare to
asparagus. Tender young leaves can be steamed as well or used fresh in a salad.
The flowers can also be added to a salad or eaten as a snack. The leaves
are mucilaginous. The “juice” can be used to soothe insect bites in the same way
one would use aloe. Spiderwort is loved by native bees and butterflies.
Lyreleaf sage, Salvia lyrata, is a great perennial evergreen groundcover. It is
happy growing in sun or shade and it will tolerate wet and dry soil conditions. It
grows about 2 feet tall and produces seed on the flower stalk that will reseed. The
blue and purple flowers are about 1 inch long. Flowers attract hummingbirds and
butterflies. It can even tolerate being mown and walked on. You can propagate
this plant by seeds, root division, or stem cuttings. The flower spikes can be
tapped above an envelope to collect the tiny seeds. It readily re-seeds. In the
spring, cut stems into 5” sections. Remove the bottom leaves to expose a node.
Dip in rooting hormone and place in soil.
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