The purple violet is a low-growing perennialherbaceous plant up to 20cm (8in) tall. The leaves form a basal cluster; they are simple, up to 10cm (4in) broad, with an crenate-serrate margin[3][4] and a long petiole. The flowers are violet, dark blue and occasionally white. with five petals. The fruit is a capsule10–15mm (3⁄8–5⁄8in) long, which splits into three sections at maturity to release the numerous small seeds.[5] Its habitats include wet meadows, prairies, and fields.[6]
