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 vanzijliae is a rare South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province from Worcester to Robertson. It grows on seasonally moist to dry clay flats in Breede Alluvium Renosterveld. From winter to late spring it bears eye-catching pink flowers with dark centers.