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 tulbaghensis is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it is found growing on stony, sandy clay flats in renosterveld from Piketberg to Paarl. It was previously known as Iris pavonia, Moraea neopavonia and Vieusseuxia pavonia. The spectacular orange or brick-red blooms of Moraea tulbaghensis appear in profusion from mid to late spring yet are seldom seen in the wild, and the species is not widely grown. Although loss of natural habitat has placed it on the Red List, it is highly agreeable to cultivation.