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 refracta, synonymously known as Freesia hurlingii, Gladiolus refractus, Gladiolus resupinatus, Montbretia refracta, Nymanina refracta, Tritonia refracta or Waitzia refracta and commonly known as Flissie or Klein Karoo Kammetjie is a South African endemic species and an easy plant to grow. It has lovely spicy scented flowers during spring. It is best sown in autumn.