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 mediterranea, synonymously known as Gynandriris monophyla, is a dwarf species no more than 10 cm tall. It has one basal leaf and in early summer it produces small pale grey/blue flowers with large yellow patches on the falls. It is distributed throughout East Crete, Egypt, Libya, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. Flowers open at mid-day and closes after a few hours.