It is a rhizomatous perennial, from China, it has long and thin green leaves, and 1 lilac (or similar shade) large flowers, that have yellow or grey beards.

[4][6][7] The stem has 2 or more, spathes or bracts (leaves of the flower bud),[2][4] they are 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long.

[2][4] The spathes are green, elliptic (in shape),[2] and have a purple tinge at the base of the leaf.

[4] Including pinkish violet,[2][6] mauve,[8] purple,[3][7] lavender,[7] and blue-violet.

[2][3][4] On the edge of the petal, are purple or violet veins,[2][3][4] mottling or spots.

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

[7][14] It is written as 大锐果鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as da rui guo yuan wei in Pidgin.

[13] The Latin specific epithet cuniculiformis refers to being shaped like a small rabbit.

[4] A herbarium specimen exists in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh collection.

It was found on 12 June 1993, collected by Mr Kunming, (from Edinburgh) on a ridge of a forest in Diqing Prefecture of Zhongdian County, China.

[16] It was first published and described by John Henry Noltie and Kai Yun Guan in 'New Plantsman' Vol.2 Issue3 page131 in 1995.

[8] It grows in the mountains, in open spaces,[3] in grassy plateaus,[2][4][8] and in shrubberies.

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

Also, handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.