It is a small flowering plant that forms ground covering mats and is well adapted to alpine environments.

[1][2] It forms a large number of rosettes which lie just above ground level while the leaves are hairless and between 1–3 cm in length and 5–10 mm wide.

[3] Cotula alpina is found in heath, short herbfield and tussock grasslands in alpine and sub-alpine areas.

[1] It is common in the Central Plateau and Midlands of Tasmania and can also be found at high altitudes in Victoria and New South Wales.

[2] The herb can survive in shade to full sun and requires high moisture levels for growth.