Weak, sprawling shrublet up to 30cm. Leaves linear, thread-like; nodding flowers, blue-mauve, growing in axils, typically violet-shaped, gently sweet-scented especially on a warm spring day.

There are over 500 species worldwide, of which 2 occur in South Africa and only one in this area.

Latin: decumbens = sprawling; referring to the low-growing habit of this species.