[3] It has thin, linear leaves, that are greyish green, with a distinct rib (or midvein) and acuminate (pointed) end.

[3] The fragrant flowers,[3][5] (with a primrose-like fragrance,[6]) are 3.4–6 cm (1–2 in) in diameter,[2][3][4] they come in shades of purple,[5] including blue-purple,[4] violet,[2][6] lavender pink.

[11] In February 2007, a spectroscopic chemical compound study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris leptophylla, it found several isoflavonoid glucosides, including irisleptophyllidin, (C24H24O12 ,[12]) nigricanin, irifloside and irigenin.

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

[3][14] It is written as 薄叶鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as bo ye yuan wei in Pidgin.

[4][11][15] The Latin specific epithet leptophylla refers to leptophyllus -a -um fine- or slender-leaved.

[16] The iris was originally collected by Hans Wolfgang Limpricht on 18 April 1914 in Wenchuan, of Sichuan in China.

[4][17] It was then first published and described by Alexander von Lingelsheim in 'Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis', Beihefte.

[6][15][18] It was originally placed within the Nepalensis subgenus by Brian Mathew,[7] but later it was suggested it should be placed in the 'Pseudoregelia Section' by Dr David Cutler of Kew in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society Vol.90 pages253-303 in 1985.

[3][4][15] It grows on the edges of forests, in grassland and meadows, on hillsides and rocky slopes.

[3] It prefers to be grown in well-drained soils,[5][8] (with grit and humus),[9] in full sun.

[5] A Herbarium specimen exists in the Department of Botany within the Swedish Museum of Natural History.

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