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 gloriosa, commonly known as Blue-eye Kalossie, is rare and endangered South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province ranging from Montagu to Barrydale growing amongst fynbos in renosterveld on lower slopes. Flowering starts at the end of winter, peaking mid-spring when light purple flowers with dark blue centers are produced.