Freesia is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1866 by Christian Friedrich Ecklon (1886) and named after the German botanist and medical practitioner, Friedrich Freese (1795-1876). It is native to the eastern side of southern Africa, from Kenya south to South Africa, most species being found in Cape Provinces. Species of the former genus Anomatheca are now included in Freesia.

Freesia caryophyllacea is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it can be found from Wolseley to Swellendam, Hermanus and the Agulhas Plain. This is one of the most fragrant of the Freesias – much more fragrant than the hybrids commonly available & has a more beautiful flower too. It grows to a height of 10cm with blunt leaves that are often flat on ground. In early spring it bears fragrant white flowers with yellow markings.