It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Tibetan China, Bhutan, India, Kashmir and Nepal.

[3][4][5] Under the rhizomes are thin, fleshy secondary roots,[2][3][4] that can grow up to 10 cm long.

Before the plant produces fruit or seed capsules, they extend up to between 34–45 cm (13–18 in) long,[2][3] taller than the flowers.

[8][9][10] The stem has 2 to 3 green, lanceolate, (scarious) membranous, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).

[3][16] In the centre of the petal is a dense beard of white hairs, with yellow,[2][4][7] or orange tips.

[8] It has 2.5–3.2 cm long and 5–6 mm wide, style branches,[2][4] it is dark in the centre and paler at the edges.

They have short beak, taper to a pointed apex and dehisce (split open) laterally.

Inside the capsule, are pyriform seeds, which are reddish brown, which have a milky yellow or cream aril (appendage).

[2][3] The seed capsule grows on stems, that are about 45 cm long, above the height of the leaves.

Including 'iriskumaonin' methyl ether, iriskumaonin (C18H24O7,[18]), irisflorentin, junipegenin-A, irigenin and iridin.

[18] In December 2002, a chemical study carried out on the rhizomes of Iris kemaonensis found several isoflavones, including irisoquins (A, B, C, D, E and F), tectoregenin, iristectorin and irigenin.

[21][22] In 2006, a chemical study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris kemanonensis, it found several compounds including a benzoquinone.

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

[2][10] It is written as 库门鸢尾 in Chinese script,[2] and known as ku men yuan wei in Pidgin.

[27] The Latin specific epithet kemaonensis refers to the former kingdom of Kumaon, (now part of Uttarakhand, Northern India).

[32] But he did not publish or describe the iris, until later in 'Illustrations of the Botany of the Himalayan Mountains' (Ill. Bot.

[28] The iris was later then renamed 'Iris kemaonensis', as due to nomenclature rules, that the earliest naming of the plant stands.

[24] In temperate Asia, it is found in China,[4][11][13][25] within the province of Xizang,[2][24] (also referred to as Tibet),[10] Sichuan.

[3][5][11] It can be grown in alpine house or bulb frame, in less hardy place, (as Iris hookeriana are only suitable for UK climate).

Seed should be sown in trays within a cold frame, then the seedlings, can be pricked out, when they are large enough to be handled.

[5] Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (including the rhizome and leaves), which contain chemicals like Irisin and Iridin.

They are analgesic and ophthalmic, and are used in the treatment of tinnitus (pain in the ears) and to treat weakening of the eyesight.

[42] The seeds of the iris are also used in herbal medicine in Tibet, they also have an acrid taste, are analgesic and are anthelmintic and vermifuge.

They are also used to treat hot and cold disorders of the stomach and intestines, and also the pain, below the neck and shoulders.

[25] The roots and leaves of the plant are diuretic, and used to treat bronchitis, dropsy and various liver complaints.