The genus Ixia consists of a number of cormous plants native to South Africa from the Iridaceae family and Ixioideae subfamily. Some of them are known as the corn lily. Some distinctive traits include: sword-like leaves, and long wiry stems with star-shaped flowers. It usually prefers well-drained soil. They have a specific but not very intense fragrance of vegetables. That is why it is often visited by many insects such as bees.

Ixia exiliflora is a rare, range-restricted South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province, ranging from Worcester to Montagu and Touwsrivier growing amongst fynbos in loamy clay soils on rocky slopes, often with sandstone bedrock. From late winter to mid-spring it produces beautiful flowers in shades of light purple.