It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Asia and the Russian Federation, to Mongolia and China.

[11] The falls are slender, narrowly spatulate (spoon shaped), 3.5–5 cm (1–2 in) long and 8–10 mm wide.

[3] The narrower, lanceolate, semi-erect standards are 3.5–4 cm (1–2 in) long and 7–8 mm wide.

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

[19] It was originally described from specimens found in the mountain zone of Dauria, between the valleys of Urulunguya and Argun rivers.

[13][21] It is found in the Russian Federation, within the Siberian regions of Agin-Buryat Okrug, Buryatia and Chita, and Primorye.

[13][8][10] In the Chinese provinces of Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol Xinjiang,[13] and Qinghai.

[3][22] It has suffered from habitat loss, due to direct and indirect effects from environmental damage.

They have been used in traditional herbal medicines to treat Cancer, inflammations and bacterial infections.

In September 2008, the rhizomes of Iris ventricosa were collected for a study of its biologically active substances.

Various flavones and isoflavones, some peltogynoids (irisoid a, b, c, d and e), saponins, coumarins and benzoquinones were found.

[14] In 2013, a study was carried out on the various species of iris growing in east Transbaikalia region of Russia.

Which are all listed as 'endangered' in the Red Book of Chita Oblast and Agin-Buryat Autonomous Okrug of 2002.

The species were all found in steppe habitats, and are more resistant to drought and low winter temperatures.