[2] It has stout rhizomes,[3][4][5] and it has long,[6] erect,[7] straight, and (ensiform) sword-like leaves.

[12][13][14] It has few branches,[6] and it has 2–3 green, between 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).

[5][9] They have a narrow 3–4 cm long haft (section of petal closest to the centre).

[8][9] The standards are oblanceolate, wavy edged (or crinkled),[11][17][18] measuring 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long.

[4][5][8] It has a 3.5–4 cm long style, with a deltoid crest,[5][8][9] in the same shade of colour as the petals.

[4] After the iris has flowered, it produces an oblong seed capsule, measuring 3.8–4 cm long.

Several compounds were found including an isoflavone glucoside, called tectorigenin 4′-glucoside.

[19] In June 2012, a phytochemical study was carried out on 5 iris species growing in Kashmir, India.

It found several flavonoids (including isoflavonoids, glycosides and tannins), within the irises.

[13] The Latin specific epithet crocea refers to the word for saffron coloured or yellow.

[4] It was the published and described as Iris crocea by Jacque in 'Gentes Herbarum', Vol.8 page21 in 1949, based on an earlier description by R.C.Foster in 'Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University' Vol.114, page41 in 1936.

[16] It grows well on likes rich, well drained soils such as,[2][7][16] heavy loam in the UK.