Heartsease

Description:

Heartsease ( The red ones) known as Heart's Ease or Love-in-idleness, is a common European wild flower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. It has been introduced into North America, where it has spread widely, and is known as the Johnny Jump Up. It flowers from April to September. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white. They are hermaphrodite and self-fertile, pollinated by bees. Heartsease is a small plant of creeping and ramping habit, reaching at most 15 cm in height, with flowers about 1.5 cm in diameter.

Habitat:

It grows in short grassland on farms and wasteland, chiefly on acid or neutral soils. It is usually found in partial shade.

Notes:

The plant, especially the flowers, contain antioxidants and are edible.