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 lithicola is a rare South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province where it occurs in the Kogelberg and Hottentots-Holland mountains. It grows on the rocky lower slopes between 50 and 200 meters in elevation. This species only produces its gorgeous flowers after a fire. This can also be triggered by watering the plants with smoke primer infused water.