Plants perennial, caulescent, not stoloniferous, 2–30 cm. Stems 1–3, ascending to erect, usually glabrous, from shallow, fleshy rhizome. Leaves basal and cauline; basal: 2–3; stipules broadly ovate to deltate or long-lanceolate, margins often glandular (glands sessile or stalked), apex acute; petiole 0.8–21 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; blade ovate to reniform, 0.9–5.8 × 1–6 cm, base cordate to ± truncate, margins crenate to crenate-serrulate, usually eciliate, apex rounded or acute to usually obtuse, surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent on adaxial veins, seldom on abaxial veins; cauline similar to basal except: stipules broadly ovate to lanceolate-oblong or deltate, apex acute to acuminate; petiole 2.2–12.1 cm; blade 1.9–4.2 × 1.8–5.9 cm. Peduncles 2.2–20.7 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Flowers: sepals lanceolate to ovate, margins eciliate, auricles 0.5–1.5 mm; petals light to deep violet on both surfaces, lower 3 white basally and light to deep violet-veined, lateral 2 bearded, lowest 12–24 mm, spur white to violet, gibbous to elongated, 2–5 mm, usually less than 1/2 lowest petal, tip straight; style head usually beardless, sometimes bearded; cleistogamous flowers axillary. Capsules ovoid to oblong, 7.5–13 mm, glabrous. Seeds dark olive to ± black, 2.5–2.8 mm. 2n = 12.
Swamps, bogs, fens, wet meadows, stream banks, rocky slopes, usually near the coast; at elevations up to 1,500 metres.
Can be grown by divisions or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.
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