[5] It has a slender green stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between 12–40 cm (5–16 in) tall.

[8] It is similar in size to Iris kashmiriana, but the rest of form is very different.

[9]: 17 The falls are about 5 cm long, in the centre of each petal, they have a dense white beard.

[5] The perianth tube is 2–5 cm (1–2 in) long,[3][5] which is also different to Iris pseudopumila.

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

The Latin specific epithet griffithii refers to William Griffith (1810–45), English botanist and Superintendent of Calcutta Botanic Garden.

[11][12][13] It was thought that no plants had been found in the wild, since William Rickatson Dykes had described the iris in 18, [5] but several specimens are stored within herbaria.

[13] The herbarium specimens, have only one sterile leaf, and the colour has faded from the flowers.

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