White Violets

                          
                      The Common White Violet belongs to a group of violets that produce their leaves and flowers from stems – other violets produce their flowers and leaves directly from their root system in the ground. The Common White Violet produces unusually large stipules at the base of its leaves (up to 1" long); the margins of these stipules have abundant fringe-like teeth (see the lower photograph). This latter characteristic separates this species from other white-flowered violets in Illinois. The species Viola canadensis (Canada Violet) produces white flowers from stems, but its stipules are quite small and they lack conspicuous teeth along the margins. A form of the Common Blue Violet, Viola pratincola alba, produces white flowers, but this is a stemless violet. Other common names for Viola striata are Cream Violet and Pale Violet.   http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/wh_violet.htm