It has long pale green or yellow green leaves, long slender stem and fragrant blue, purple or lilac flowers, that are mottled with a darker colour.

[6][9] It has an oblong blade, which has a central white beard,[8] that has coloured (orange,[5] or yellow,[7]) tips.

[7] It has a short perianth tube,[2] that is 1.2–3 cm (0–1 in) long,[6][9][10] and green with purple stripe,[5] or spots.

[7] The style branch is similarly coloured as the falls and standards, but is curved inwards.

[6] After the iris has flowered, it produces a trigonal,[5] or elliptic seed capsule,[6][9] is 5–6.5 cm (2–3 in) long.

[5] Inside the capsule are pyriform (pear) shaped seeds, that are red with a yellowish aril (appendage).

[5][6][7] In 1985, a phytochemical study was carried on Iris hookeriana specimens found in the Sonamarg region of Kashmir.

[14][15] In 1993, a chemical study was carried out the rhizomes of Iris hookeriana, to extract 'Piceid', a stilbene glucoside.

[16] In 2008, a study was carried out on the effectiveness of a decoction of Iris hookeriana rhizome, as an anthelmintic (drugs that expel parasitic worms) used on gastrointestinal nematodes (or Trichuris ovis worms) in sheep.

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

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

Vol.24 pages 21–22), then in 1985 by Vir Jee, D. U. and P. Kachroo (Chromosomal conspectus of some alpine-subalpine taxa of Kashmir Himalaya.

39: pages 33–35) and in 1989, by Jee, Vir, U. Dhar and P. Kachroo (Cytogeography of some endemic taxa of Kashmir Himalaya.

The Latin specific epithet hookeriana refers to Sir Joseph D.

[5] In 1884, Mr Max Leichtlin, was given a plant specimen from some Moravians missionaries at Lahaul and Spiti district, Pakistan.

[25] Within Mansehra District, in Pakistan, it is found in the Naran valley, at (3,300 to 3,500 m (10,800 to 11,500 ft) meters above sea level) with Rheum australe, Sibbaldia cuneata, Aster falconeri and Ranunculus hirtellus.

[12] It was grown in containers at Kew Gardens, which gave it protection against winter wet.