[2] It has style branch that is arched, and pale orange,[7] streaked with purple,[2] or red, according to Brian Mathew.

[2] As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.

[11] The Latin specific epithet assadiana possibly refers to the former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.

[14] It is found in the Syrian Desert,[6][14][4] near Ayn al-Baydah, Al-Qaryatayn and Al-Hafar, to the west of Palmyra.

[2] It is listed as endemic plant of Syria,[3] along with 200 other vascular plants including Iris auranitica (another Oncoyclus section iris), Teucrium coniortodes, Allium pseudophanerantherum, Allium birkinshawii, Ajuga chasmophila, Echium pabotii, Astragalus qatmensis, Astragalus roessleri, Centaurea trachonitica, Salsola zenobiae, Senecio delbesianus, Thymus alfredae, Vicia kalakhensis, Onobrychis gaillardotii, and Alyssum antilibanoticum.

They can be grown in pots (especially in deep ones known as 'long toms'), but they need re-potting, every 2 years and extra feeding.

Seedlings, if germinated, may grow into a mature plant within 3–4 years, seedings are best grown also in frames or alpine houses.

[19] Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), and if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting.