Cream Violet, Creamy Violet, Pale Violet, Striped Cream Violet, Striped White Violet

Viola striata

vy-OH-la  stree-AH-tuh

Synonyms of Viola striata (11) (Updated on 12-30-23 from Plants of the World Online): Lophion striatum (Aiton) Nieuwl. (1914), Viola adunca f. masonii (Farw.) B.Boivin (1966), Viola conspersa f. masonii (Farw.) House (1924), Viola conspersa var. masonii Farw. (1918), Viola debilis Michx. (1803), Viola debilis f. muhlenbergii Farw. (1930), Viola lewisiana Ging. (1824), Viola ochroleuca Schwein. (1822), Viola repens Schwein. (1822), Viola striata f. albiflora Farw. (1928), Viola striata var. lutescens Alph.Wood ex N.Coleman (1874)

Viola striata Aiton is the accepted scientific name for this species of Viola. It was named and described as such by William Aiton in Hortus Kewensis in 1789.

The genus, Viola L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-30-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 681 species in the Viola genus. It is a member of the plant family Violaceae with 24 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Viola striata is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native. The map on the USDA Plants Database is the same.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

I found several white-flowered Violets in the yard at the church I attend, but I believe they are possibly a variant of V. sororia (Common Blue Violet). I had been hoping to find white violets for several years then all of the sudden, one showed up in the north flower bed next to the Hosta ‘Empress Wu’ in 2022. I promise you, I didn’t put it there. 🙂

Viola striata is a common perennial spring wildflower found mainly in the eastern section of North America. Their preference is light shade to partially sunny locations in wooded areas, along streams, wooded hillsides, and so on. They prefer rich, loamy soil with moderate to damp conditions. 

According to the Missouri Plants website and the map on the USDA Plants Database, Viola striata isn’t found in the county I live in. Both those sites haven’t been updated for quite some time and plants do get around. They come and go according to growing conditions.

Viola striata is the only white-flowered stemmed (caulescent) violet found in Missouri. As you can see in the above photo, there is definitely a stem.

Not only that, but it also has stipules at the base of the leaf petioles (stems), which is another characteristic of this species. These stipules are more or less lance-shaped and have narrow teeth.

Their 1/2-1” glabrous (hairless) stems grow from an underground rhizome and have a tendency to flop or sprawl across the ground. Petioles of young leaves can be slightly pubescent (hairy).

Their heart-shaped (cordate) leaves grow from long petioles (leaf stems) and are approximately 2 1/2” long x 2” wide. 

Solitary flowers emerge from the axils of leaf nodes on long, slender pedicels (flower stems). The upper part (apices) of the pedicles curve downward. Flowers are approximately 3/4″ wide, have 5 rounded petals (corollas), 5 light green sepals, with a pistol (female part) and several inserted stamens (male parts). The lower petal in the center usually has dark purple veins that are said to be “nectar guides” that attract pollinating insects. The other two lower petals have beards. Later in the season, plants produce inconspicuous cleistogamous (closed) flowers that are self-fertile.

The flowers appear to be unscented and the pollen and nectar are collected by a number of species of bees, butterflies, and flies and serve as pollinators.

The 3-sectioned seed pods produce a number of seeds that are ejected once they are mature. The seeds remind me of the eggs of ants which seem to be a distributor. 

HOPEFULLY, this species will come up in the flower bed again in 2023 so I can take more photos.

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
iNATURALIST
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
FLORA FINDER
FLORA OF PENNSYLVANIA
GARDENIA
GO BOTANY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS NATIVE PLANTS
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
VIRGINIA WILDFLOWERS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂