It has small, thin grey-green leaves, a short stem with 1–3 branches, which are normally, covered with a green leaf with purple staining.

[citation needed] It has a short stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall.

[6] The stem has a short, semi-sheathing leaf, and 1 stem leaf, the branches have partially inflated spathes (leaves of the flower bud),[5][6] which are 2.5–5.5 cm (1–2 in) long,[6] and generally green with purple staining.

[6] In the middle of the falls, is a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is yellow,[12] or white with yellow-tips.

[20] As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings,[18]: 18  but Iris schachtii is a tetraploid, with a count of 2n=48,[7][15] by Koca, 1989.

[21] The Latin specific epithet of schachtii refers to Wilhelm Schacht (1903–2001), alpine gardener and plant collector for the Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg.

[2] Found in central Anatolia,[2][10][16] from the plateau east of Ankara,[4]: 120  and between Kayseri and Malatya,[8] of Turkey.

[14] It grows on the dry, rocky hillside,[8][17] slopes,[9] open steppes,[8] or mixed forests.

[8][17] On the steppes near Ankara, it grows with Beypazari milkvetch (Astragalus beypazaricus), dark blue bottle (Centaurea depressa), and steppe thyme (Thymus sipyleus).

[21] Iris sari and Iris schachtii are assessed as 'least concern' (LC) in the Red Data Book of Turkish Plants,[20] due to the widespread population.

[8] It prefers to grow in well drained,[2][8] limestone soils,[12][21] in full sun.

[20] No known hybrids are found, but it has the potential to create fertile offspring when crossed with Iris pumila and regelia section irises.

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