Cream Violet

Cream Violet (Viola striata) is in the Violet Family family (Violaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,226 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Cream Violet: observations by month (U.S.)

About Cream Violet

Viola striata is a species of violet known by the common names striped cream violet and creamy violet. It is native to eastern North America, with its distribution being centered in interior areas away from the Coastal Plain. Its preferred habitat is mesic forests. It is a small, caulescent, perennial herb that has purple-striped white flowers in the spring.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Cream Violet by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (Violet Family)

American field pansyViola rafinesquei

Canada VioletViola canadensis

California Golden VioletViola pedunculata

Smooth Yellow VioletViola eriocarpa

Halberd-leaved violetViola hastata

Bird's Foot VioletViola pedata

European field pansyViola arvensis

Long-spurred violetViola rostrata

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ