Wild pansy

Wild pansy is a small herbaceous annual or biennial plant with striped leaves. Its multicoloured and large flowers bloom throughout the summer from May to September. The colours of the flowers range from purple to yellow to white.

Wild pansy grows on rocky leas and lichen fields, meadows, rocky boulders and sea shores. It can be found across almost all of Europe and also in North America.

The beautiful wild pansy is quite popular and it appears in many cultures and beliefs. The species is often associated with mothers or troubled lovers seeking to relieve their worries. As herbal remedy, it stimulates the metabolism and increases urine production and sweat secretion. Its flowers are used to decorate desserts or as an ingredient in salads.

In suitable growth sites, the wild pansy forms colourful carpet-like growths. It has benefitted from human actions and has established growth in fields, gardens, wastelands and sandy fields.