Distribution, morphology and utilization of medicinally important Viola Betonicifolia SM. IN Jammu Province

Viola betonicifolia (mountain violet) is an important perennial herb of temperate Himalaya. This small rhizomatous species bears arrow-head shaped leaves, beautiful purple flowers and capsular fruits. During different surveys conducted from 2018-2020, V betonicifolia plants were found growing at higher altitudinal sites namely, Gool in Ramban, Dharal in Rajouri, Thanala in Doda and Molsar and Mandi in Poonch districts, though scarcely. Ethnomedicinal information gathered from local people revealed the use of its flowers for treating cough, cold, fever, sore throat and leaves as vegetables. Besides, paste of its leaves and flowers is applied to treat pimples, boils and dry skin. Extensive foliar collections for medicinal purpose along with other anthropogenic activities seem to have accounted for the scarce distribution of V betonicifolia and its rare occurrence in Jammu Province.