Viola lutea is a compact plant with bright oval green leaves, growing to a height of around 20 centimetres (8 in).

lutea is native to central and north-western Europe, from the British Isles to Austria; another subspecies occurs further east, from Hungary to the Balkans.

Both taxa have relatively recently evolved to take advantage of the local pollution left over after centuries of mining for metals in these locations.

[5] In Ireland, its distribution is more scattered geographically, and ranges vertically from sea level in County Clare to 380 m (1,250 ft) in the Wicklow Mountains.

[5] Viola lutea is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for a position in full sun or partial shade with rich soil.