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 sarmentosa, commonly known as Runner Kalossie and synonymously known as Ixia polystachya var. lutea, is an endangered South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province ranging from Porterville to Kleinmond and Hermanus, growing amongst fynbos on seasonally wet, lowland flats and slopes. During spring it produces bright yellow flowers with dark green centers.