It has linear, upright leaves, tall slender stem holding a bi-coloured flower, having a pale lilac, cream-yellow, light tan, or white background, which is then covered in purple brown, or purple, or purple-pink veining, spots or speckling.

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

[5][12] It has cream,[9] or yellow anthers,[10] with purple filaments,[9][10] and creamy white style branches.

[8] The Latin specific epithet hermona refers to Mount Hermon, between Israel and Syria,[21] although most of the currant plants are found in the Golan Heights.

[10] Although it was first published and named by John E. Dinsmore in 'Flora of Syria, Palestine, and Sinai' (edited G. E. Post) by Vol.2 on page 596, in 1933.

[23] It is endemic to Israel,[1][23] (including the Golan Heights,[4][13][14] Keshet,[14] and Mount Hermon,[8][11][15] ) and Syria.

[1][12][23] It grows in open places like pasture lands,[11] on the edges of oak scrub,[4][5] steppes,[1] or rocky meadows.

[4][9] In the past, it has been picked and uprooted due to its flowers, attacked by herbivores (such as porcupines, caterpillars, and true-bugs).

In Keshet, Golan a settlement area was widened, and a population of the iris was trans-located, but after 3 years only 6 plants had survived out of 120 (meaning 5%).

[1] I. hermona is thought to be an easier plant to grow in cultivation,[6] as it can tolerate a Mediterranean climate.

[14] In general 'Oncocyclus Section' Irises need good drainage,[6] minimal summer rainfall and dry winters,[27] similar to a semi-arid climate.

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

[6][27] They can be grown under glass (in frames), to protect the irises from excess moisture (especially during winter times) and also to ensure the (shallow planted) rhizomes get the best temperatures during the growing season.

[6] Israel's national collection of Oncocyclus iris is held at Ramat HaNadiv the burial place of Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845–1934).

[13][47] On 19 June 2016, the National Gallery of Art in Vilnius, held an exhibition of photos by photographer Sharon Ya’ari, I. hermona was included as part of his "Red Slide" series (2015).