Geissorhiza is a large genus of around 84 perennial species, of small to medium corm bearing plants in the Iridaceae family found in the winter rainfall region of the south and west coasts of southern Africa. Many of them make very handsome container plants and benefit from extra water during growth. The name Geissorhiza is derived from the Greek words geisson and rhiza which mean tile and root respectively. This is in reference to a tunic which covers the corms like a roof tile. The bulb-like structure is used as a storage organ during the dormant period. It is closely related to the genus Hesperantha, the main difference being that most Hesperantha are night bloomers.

Geissorhiza foliosa is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it can be found growing on slopes and flats in renosterveld and fynbos from Swellendam to Riversdale. It grows to 20cm tall with short leaves. During spring it bears 2-5 lilac to purple flowers that are very showy.