It has short, obconical (like an inverted cone) rhizomes, with slender secondary roots underneath.

[2] The stem has 2 lanceolate and (scarious) membranous spathe (leaves of the flower bud).

[2] They have a very short pedicel and slender perianth tube, that is 4–4.5 cm (2–2 in) long.

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

It is written as 沙生鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as sha sheng yuan wei in Pidgin.

[5] The Latin specific epithet psammocola refers to an amalgamation of two Greek words: 'psammo' – sand, and 'cola' – living in.

[6] It was originally collected in the desert dunes of Baijiatan (White House Beach), near the city of Lingwu, in Ningxia on 10 April 1959.

[2][10] Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting.