The genus Moraea belongs to the Iridaceae family and is a close relative of the genus Iris. It is accepted that it evolved independently from Iris itself, which is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, it is strictly an African genus extending from Nigeria and southern Ethiopia, into the African highlands down to the southern tip of Africa where winter rainfall is predominant. Many are indigenous to South Africa. It is in the winter rainfall area where one finds the highest concentration of Moraea species. They have long narrow basal leaves, sometimes only one per corm and large yellow, pink, orange, or bicolor flowers with six fairly equal tepals. The genus name is a tribute to the English botanist Robert Moore. Moraeas have iris-like flowers. They make good potted plants and are suitable rockery plants too. Most enjoy well-drained soil and full sun to flower best.

Moraea collina for which Homeria collina is a synonym is a South African indigenous species with a single linear leaf and orange to salmon-pink flowers with a prominent yellow eye from winter to spring. These flowers are usually around 5 cm in diameter and found in groups of four on stems reaching 75 cm. It is commonly known as Cape Tulip and is found on lower mountain slopes and flats on sand or clay in the southwest Cape. It makes a good “filler” growing where many other things will not grow, including full sun. The seeds are best sown during autumn.