This cultivar is a sport of H. 'Wolverine' which was originated by Jim & Lois McBurney of Iowa and registered by Rod Kuenster of Iowa in 2006. It is a medium size hosta about 17 inches high by 32 inches wide with dark green foliage that has a yellow medial (center) variegation. 'Iowa Hawkeye' is the reversed form of the mother plant.

The leaves are slightly rippled, ovate with a cordate base, slightly twisted and slightly shiny on top. Pale purple flowers with purple stripes bloom from mid-July into August. It sets seeds but their viability was undetermined at the time of registration.