Rhizome wiry. Leaves 2-4 mm wide, linear, purple at base, persistent. Stem unbranched, 20-30 cm. Flowers 1-2, 6-8 cm wide, cream to orange or violet often with darker veins; early summer. Perianth tube 1.5-3 cm long; segments 4-7 cm long with frilly margins. Style branches about 2.5 cm long with toothed crests.

Oregon, California.

There are many colour variants and named cultivars including:

I. douglasiana Herbert from Oregon and California has leaves flat, 1-2 cm wide with dark red bases. Stem branched, 25-75 cm tall. Flowers 2-3, 7-10 cm wide, blue-violet to cream with darker veins; spring. Perianth tube 2-3 cm long; falls 6-8.5 cm long, dark-veined with yellow signal; standards somewhat shorter. Style branches 2-3.5 cm with toothed crests.

Source: Cooke, D. (2005). Iridaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.