Plant DetailShow Menu

Viola striata is often confused with:
Viola pedata Viola pedata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Viola pedata Viola pedata
Viola pubescens Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea

Pale Violet Viola striata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vy-OH-la stree-AH-tuh
Description

Pale Violet is a native wildflower found in moist to wet areas of low woods, meadows, ditches, woodland borders, and stream banks. It freely self-seeds and spreads into cluster-like colonies. It does not spread by runners.  It prefers light shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and rich loamy soil. This species doesn't invade lawns and is relatively easy to cultivate in gardens. It will form a groundcover in naturalized and woodland areas. The creamy-white blooms are long-lasting and are produced from May to June.

On average, Viola striata has a longer blooming period than other violas.  It is also the only viola that has leafy stipules, which are a small leaf like part of a leaf, typically in pairs at the base of the leaf stalk. Other distinguishing characteristics are its irregular cleft stipules and the bearded lateral petals.  

The spreading habit and self seeding trait makes this plant a great choice for a ground cover.   The seeds are also distributed by ants due to the oily coatings of the seeds. 

This plant supports Fritillary butterfly (Boloria bellona) larvae. Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies, skippers, and bees.  Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized miner bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The self seeding and spreading habit of this plant can be an issue in more formal gardens.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#white flowers#easy to grow#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#nectar plant#shade garden#spring flowers#mass planting#seeds#dappled shade#showy fruits#small mammals#specialized bees#moist soil#bumblebee friendly#NC native#spreading#summer flowers#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#cream flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#clusters#seed pods#groundcover#summer interest#self-seeding#cutting garden#spring interest#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#food source roots#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#fritillary butterflies#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#white flowers#easy to grow#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#nectar plant#shade garden#spring flowers#mass planting#seeds#dappled shade#showy fruits#small mammals#specialized bees#moist soil#bumblebee friendly#NC native#spreading#summer flowers#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#cream flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#clusters#seed pods#groundcover#summer interest#self-seeding#cutting garden#spring interest#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#food source roots#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#fritillary butterflies#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viola
    Species:
    striata
    Family:
    Violaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NH, MJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WI, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies, skippers, and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Defines Paths
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Oval seedpods about ¼" in length splits open into 3 parts to eject its seeds. In North Carolina, the fruit is available from April to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Creamy white 3/4 inch flowers with a purple-veined lower petal. The petals are rounded. The two lower lateral petals have patches of fine white hairs (or beards) near the throat of the flower. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from March to June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 2½" long and 2" across heart-shaped dark green leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Light green stem that sprawls across the ground reaching a length of up to 3 feet.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil