It has sickle shaped leaves, which are as long as the short stem, which carries one flower in spring.

It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

Then the plant dies back to the rhizome, to re-grow next year,[2] similar to a bulb habit.

[14][16] The Latin specific epithet grossheimii refers to Alexander Grossheim (1888–1948, who was a Ukrainian botanist).

[23] It grows on the mountains, from middle to sub–alpine belt,[6] on rocky slopes,[4][5] or in open meadows near oak and juniper forests.

[5] In 1984, the Red Data Book of the former USSR listed 61 species of plants as rare and under threat of extinction, including the iris.

[16][24] Later, in 1988, the Armenian Red Data Book was published with the iris still listed as endangered.

[6] It is threatened due to habitat changes, including loss or degradation caused by the mining industry or grazing.

Fortunately, a part of the iris population is located within Arevik National Park, which allows continual monitoring and protection.

In temperate areas (such as the Europe and America) they are only suitable for growing by specialist iris growers, within a bulb frame or greenhouse.

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