[7] The shallow rooted, creeping and spreading rhizomes,[8][9][10] that create loose colonies around 30 cm wide.

[7] The stems have several spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 2–3 cm (1–1 in) long and 5 mm wide, and scarious (dry and membranous).

[14][17][15] The erect standards are oblanceolate-spatulate, shorter than the falls,[7][6] and notched at tip.

[7] Inside are D-shaped, pale brown, pitted seeds, with a whitish raphe (ridge).

[2][4][7] In 1956, a cytological (cell) study was carried out on various irises in the Californicae Section.

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

Lenz (Studies in Iris embryo culture, El Alsio 3 173–182 1956)[20] and 2n=28, Smith & Clark in 1956.

[3][10][12] In May, 1884, Mr. Henderson found iris specimen roots for the Cambridge Botanic Garden in the UK.

[6] Sereno Watson published another description of the iris in Garden and Forest Weekly, Volume 1 No.

[7] In 1956, F. H. Smith and Q. D. Clarkson noted, "It clearly does not belong in the subsection with the other members of the Californicae,".

[11][13] It grows in the open wooded slopes,[2][7][9] and along shaded stream banks.

[2][16] It is found underneath the Douglas fir (Pseutotsuga menziesii),[9][11][17] and other shrub undergrowth in large colonies,[2][12] in moist leafy soils.

laevigata, Enemion hallii, lilium washingtonianum, Pleuricospora fimbriolata and Sullivantia oregana are all sensitive species recorded with the Table Rock Wilderness in Oregon.

[17] It has average water needs, it prefers to have moisture during the growing season.

[4][16][15] If the plant is lifted up in summer or in the spring, and then re-planted in leafy soil in the shade, it will re-grow again.

[10][15] Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting.