The genus name Omphalodes derives from the Greek word omphalòs, meaning navel, referring to the shape of the small fruits, while the name verna of the species, deriving from the Latin vernus, refers to the early blooming flowers.

This species can spread quickly, it is hard to uproot and by some accounts may even be invasive, but mostly coexists with other plants well.

In Spring the plant produces clusters of 3-5 petiolated small, light blue hermaphrodite flowers with white or yellow star-shaped centers.

[citation needed] This species typically grows in the shade of trees, in fresh mountain forests (especially beech), wastelands and scrublands.

The plant prefers sandy or clay loam and moist soils in shady places, at an altitude of 0–1,300 metres (0–4,265 ft) above sea level.