The genus Dierama, placed in the Iridaceae family, is endemic to Africa and contains around 45 species distributed from the southern Cape in South Africa to the highlands of Ethiopia. Most are found in the eastern mountainous regions of Southern Africa. Its greatest diversity is found in KwaZulu-Natal, where about 26 species occur. The genus name Dierama is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning a funnel, referring to the shape of the flower. Dierama is an evergreen, mainly summer growing geophyte. It has long, narrow tough fibrous foliage and pendulous bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, magenta, mauve or maroon. It is recognized by its wiry, usually drooping spikes, and it can be quite dramatic in the garden. Common names include Angels Fishing Rod, Harebells, Fairybells, Wedding Bells, Fairy Fishing Rod and Wandflowers in English and Grasklokkies in Afrikaans.

Dierama pictum is a South African indigenous species from the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces. This plant is usually found at high altitudes. During summer it bears light to dark mauve/magenta/deep wine-red flowers with dark brown bracts.