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 mostertii is a rare and endangered South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province from Wolseley to Worcester growing amongst fynbos on shale flats and slopes. Flowers vary from white to deep pink, with a dark blue, purple, or blue-green center. These are produced from mid-winter to late spring.