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 geminata is an endangered South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province, extending from the Koue Bokkeveld and Upper Tulbagh Valley in the north to Brandvlei near Worcester in the south. It is semi-aquatic, occurring in sandy marshes, ponds and vleis, often in standing water. Growing 12-30cm in height, it has linear leaves and bears white-cream flowers with cupped tepals during spring.