Hesperantha is a cormous genus in the Iridaceae family with 79 species. Four are found in tropical Africa, 37 in summer-rainfall southern Africa, and 42 in winter-rainfall southern Africa. Many of the former are found in the eastern southern African Drakensberg in Kwa Zulu-Natal. Most plants are short, 15 to 20 cm. tall or less. A number of them open late in the afternoon or early evening and those are often very fragrant.

Hesperantha baurii is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. It was previously known as Hesperantha subexerta. This summer growing species grows to 75cm tall. During autumn this shade-loving plant bears beautiful deep pink flowers.