[6] The stalk grows from 20 to 60 centimetres (7.9 to 23.6 in) tall,[6][12] and bears a number of orange, red, or yellow flowers with darker spots.

[1][12] Sometimes the yellow lilies exhibit spotlessness[13] In Japan, plants growing on the Pacific coast (iwatoyuri) bloom from the latter half of June until early August, much later than the lilies on the coasts of the Sea of Japan (iwayuri) that bloom from the latter half of May to early June.

[6] This species used to be considered one of the more important in food consumption as lily bulb or yuri-ne (ユリ根) around the turn of the 20th century.

[6] The variety is unusual, as it is a "hanging" or "weeping" type with a pendulous stem,[16] but is listed as critically endangered by Saitama's Red Data Book.

[16] The mountain has been heavily quarried for limestone by the cement industry, which now collaborates in the plant's conservation efforts in captivity; foraging by wildlife such as the Japanese macaque is also thought to jeopardizes its survival.