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 patens, synonymously known as Gladiolus pyramidalis, Ixia angusta, Ixia densiflora, Ixia dispar, Ixia filiformis, Ixia flaccida, Ixia patens var. kermesina, Ixia patens var. linearifolia and Ixia punicea, is a rare South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province from Villiersdorp to Worcester occurring on seasonally damp clay banks and lower slopes. During the start of spring it produces magnificent bright pink or white flowers with dark center markings.