It has pale lavender flowers with a white patch and orange or yellow crest.

[12] The proximal leaves are falcate (sickle-shaped), light brown with a darker brown central mid-rib,[12] and the distal leaves are ensiform (sword-like),[16][17][18] green or yellowish green, with a few visible veins.

[13][12] They have a central white signal patch, which is surrounded by a purple (or dark blue,[35]) ring, with 3 parallel orange or yellow crests (or ridges).

It was found that Iris cristata, is a widespread species of unglaciated regions of eastern North America, it would have a wide genetic diversity similar to other known widespread plant species, compared to the threatened Iris lacustris, which only occupies glaciated habitats on Great Lakes shorelines, (therefore smaller range) would display little genetic variation.

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

[40] The Latin specific epithet cristata is derived from 'crista', meaning crested or with tassel-like tips.

[5][8] In the 1750s, the American Quaker botanist John Bartram (1699–1777) introduced Iris crisatata to England via his correspondence friend, Peter Collinson.

[40][43] It is found in northeastern U.S., within the states of Indiana,[7] Ohio,[2][13][4] Pennsylvania,[5][44] and West Virginia.

[9][12][40] In southeastern U.S.,[24][15][19] it is found within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia,[2] and Georgia.

[37] It grows in calcareous soils,[8][12] in oak woodlands (or forests),[8][18][21] on rocky hillsides,[13][6][21] in ravines,[2][6][12] on mountain ledges (and bluffs),[5][6][9] and along streams.

[7] It prefers to grow in well-drained soils[2][3][6] that are neutral or slightly acidic (pH level of 6.1 to 6.5).

[32] It can tolerate shade or full sun,[9][30][46] but prefers cool, semi-shaded positions.

[10][17][45] It can also be grown on peat banks, with other acidic loving plants,[31] including camellias and azaleas.

[2][4][10] The roots are planted (during spring, summer or autumn) so that the top of the rhizome is about 3–5 cm below the soil line.

[2][3][7] They also can suffer damage from deer, but the plants can survive the nibbling, and flowers can also be eaten.

[17] Smaller, poorer and paler forms were originally mistakenly thought to be Iris lacustris.

[2] They can be found in plenty of reputable nurseries in the US,[5][10] but it is rarely offered on sale in Europe.

[17] The new plants should be kept moist until established,[2] they also can be mulched (with a maximum of 4 inches deep) to help with water retention.

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

Handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction,[25][29] and there is also a risk of dermatitis.

[25] In its native region, it has been marked as a commercially available pollinator plant that attracts bees.