[6][3][5] It has narrow, linear leaves, acuminate (ending in a point, grass-like), that are between 4–10 cm (1+1⁄2–4 in) long and 2–5 mm (1⁄16–3⁄16 in) wide.

[2][9][10] The stem has 2 or 3 lanceolate (lance-like) between 4–7 cm (1+1⁄2–3 in) long and 1–4 mm (1⁄16–3⁄16 in) wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).

[6][7] The small flowers are 3.5–4 cm (1+3⁄8–1+5⁄8 in) in diameter,[6][3][8] and come in a range of shades of purple and violet, but there are occasionally white forms as well.

After the study, a specimen of Iris rossii was given to the herbarium of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan[8] As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes.

[22] The Latin specific epithet rossii refers to John Ross (1842–1915), a Protestant missionary from Scotland, who lived in north-east China.

[3][23] It was an inhabitant of dry sloping banks in the province of Sching-king, in Northern China, where it was gathered in flower on 27 April 1876.

[8][9][15] From the notes of Isabella Bird Bishop on 29 April 1894, she explored the valley either side of the River Han in Korea.

She found various plants and flora, including; Acanthopanax ricinifolia, Rhus vernicifera, Actinida pueraria and Iris rossii.

[25] Originally, Iris rossii was thought to be only found in the Chinese north-eastern part, of the Korean Peninsula, but it was discovered first in Hojo within Ehime Prefecture in Japan.

It was then found in other regions of Japan including; the prefectures of Saga, Oita, Miyazaki, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima and Okayama.

[4] Iris rossii does not like being propagated by division, as it takes a long time to re-grow feeding roots, after transplanting.

[4][7] Iris rossii forma Alba was found in the deciduous forests of Korea, by Dr Yong No Lee and then published in the 'Korean Journal of Botany' vol.17, No1, p33-35 in 1974.

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