It is native to eastern North America, where it is primarily found in the Appalachian Mountains and Great Lakes area.

Its natural habitat is in loamy forests, often over mafic or calcareous substrates.

[2] Viola subsinuata is a perennial that produces purple flowers in the spring.

[3] This species has a complicated taxonomic history, including much nomenclatural confusion and misidentification.

The exact geographic boundaries of this species is poorly understood.