Bulley's iris is a plant species originally found in the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia. It has since branched out beyond its native range due to cultivation. This expansion through human cultivation has led bulley's iris to thrive in various temperate zones across continents, where it is appreciated for its ornamental value in gardens and specialized horticultural settings.

Bulley's iris is moderately toxic, especially the leaves and rhizome, containing toxins like irisin, iridine, and terpenoids. Accidental ingestion, mostly in children drawn to its bright blue flowers, leads to symptoms like high temperature, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Direct contact causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Bulley's iris is native to East Asia but has been known to be cultivated in Alaska. Though it is not considered a weed, it exhibits some weedy traits and could become problematic in its native and introduced ranges. Bulley's iris spreads by rhizomes and can form dense tufts which may compete with other plants. It also seems to be more tolerant to many conditions than other native vegetation. Bulley's iris can also be toxic to both pets and people by both ingestion and direct contact. The best control methods for bulley's iris have not been studied, but similar plants have been controlled by digging, removing seed pods, hand-pulling entire plants, and applying aquatic herbicide.