[2] It has a thick rhizome, covered with the fibrous remains of the bases of the previous seasons leaves.

[7][8][9] The stems have 2–5,[4] green spathes, (leaves of the flower bud), that are 6–12 cm long, with membranous margins.

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

[4][7][8] The Latin specific epithet xanthospuria refers to a combination of 'xanthos' meaning yellow,[17] and 'spuria' from Iris spuria.

In 1948, Dr. Lee W. Lenz was given some seeds from Professor Haydar Bagda of Ankara University.

[4][5][12] It is found in Turkey,[10][18][19](including along the edges of Koycegiz Lake,[2] in Hatay,[5]) and Syria.

[19] Iris xanthospuria grows in marshy meadows,[3][5][7] in swampy areas,[2] and beside stream sides.

[9][10] Some plants have been found in Marmaris National Park and the Gokova and Datça-Bozburun Special Protection Areas.

With other rare endemic plants such as; Allium sandrasic, Arenaria lusche, Centaurea cariensis, Eryngium thorifoli, Ferulago mughlai, Gypsophila confertiflor, Isatis pinnatilob, Sedum carica, Senecio sandrasicus, Sideritis leptocla, Sideritis albiflora, Silene tunicoides and Thymus cariensis.

[2][5][6][9] It can also be propagated by division (splitting the rhizomes of established plants) or by seed growing.