The genus Moraea belongs to the Iridaceae family and is a close relative of the genus Iris. It is accepted that it evolved independently from Iris itself, which is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, it is strictly an African genus extending from Nigeria and southern Ethiopia, into the African highlands down to the southern tip of Africa where winter rainfall is predominant. Many are indigenous to South Africa. It is in the winter rainfall area where one finds the highest concentration of Moraea species. They have long narrow basal leaves, sometimes only one per corm and large yellow, pink, orange, or bicolor flowers with six fairly equal tepals. The genus name is a tribute to the English botanist Robert Moore. Moraeas have iris-like flowers. They make good potted plants and are suitable rockery plants too. Most enjoy well-drained soil and full sun to flower best.

Moraea bellendenii is another South African endemic Moraea. It grows very tall bearing yellow flowers during spring. In nature it is found on granite or clay slopes in the southern parts of the Cape. The inner tepals are tricuspidate with short lateral lobes and a slender central cusp curved inwards. The tepals curve upward. It is closely related to which has white flowers and tepals that spread horizontally. It often divides into smaller corms. It grows best in the ground or a very deep container. The seeds are best sown during autumn.