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 speciosa is a rare South African endemic species found from Anysberg to Calitzdorp. It grows to 20cm tall with inclined to prostrate sword-shaped leaves. It bears a horizontal spike of white & deep yellow sweetly scented flowers during spring. It is normally found in dry areas.