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”.

This attractive species, Chasmanthe aethiopica, is one of the earliest of the Cape bulbs to flower, its spikes of orange, tubular flowers providing welcome interest to the winter garden.