[3] In 1879 Asa Gray named the genus Suksdorfia after Wilhelm Nikolaus Suksdorf who had first collected a specimen of S. violacea in 1878 near Mount Adams-White Salmon, Washington and sent it to Gray for assistance in classifying it.

[5] Suksdorfia violacea is the type species for this genus and Gray named it after Suksdorf.

[7] Suksdorfia violacea is found in Washington, British Columbia, Oregon, Alberta, Montana, and Idaho.

[9] It prefers moist areas with rocks, crevices, ledges, and fences.

[8][10] The plants usually grow to a height of 10–20 centimeters (3.9–7.9 in) in small groups at lower elevations.