Chasmanthe is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, first described in 1932. It is endemic to South Africa where it is found in the Cape Province. It is widely grown as an ornamental and naturalized in various locations. In their native habitat the flowers are pollinated by sunbirds. The genus name is derived from the Greek words chasme, meaning “gaping”, and anthos, meaning “flower”.

Chasmanthe floribunda var duckittii is an attractive deciduous, winter-growing, cormous geophyte with fresh green sword-shaped leaves and spikes of canary yellow long-tubed flowers during winter to early spring. Chasmanthe floribunda plants form small colonies and prefer sunny, well watered sites. In nature they are found in dampish spots on rocky outcrops. This particular variety with its distinctive yellow flowers, is only found in a few locations in the vicinity of Darling. The more common and widespread variety Chasmanthe floribunda var. floribunda has orange-red flowers and is found in coastal and montane flora on sandstone and granite soils from the Bokkeveld mountains to Hermanus. Chasmanthe floribunda var duckittii was named in honour of the Duckitt family of Darling. They created wildflower reserves and have been instrumental in the operation of the spring wildflower shows in Darling. The specific name ‘floribunda’ is Latin for many-flowered, or producing abundant flowers.