The genus Viola is large with over 500 species worldwide. The majority of these grow in temperate parts of the northern hemisphere with only four species occurring naturally in Australia. One of these, Viola betonicifolia , occurs over much of the moderate rainfall areas of eastern Australia, extending from Tasmania to Cape York. It also occurs in Papua-New Guinea. Plants are often found in damp, shaded forest habitats, but they may also occur in more open sclerophyll forest or on grassy hillsides, growing well on cleared land not heavily grazed.
Plants occur singly although clusters are more common.
Individual plants have a tufted appearance growing from 5-40 cm high depending on local conditions. When found in an exposed situation, plants may die down to a perennial rootstock, particularly during a severe winter or drought. Viola betonicifolia will often set seed without obvious flowering, the plant producing some small, self-pollinating flowers that never open. This phenomenon is known as cleistogamy. Normal flowers are also produced.