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 unguiculata is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing on shale slopes in renosterveld from Namaqualand to Port Elizabeth and in the Karoo Mountains. It was previously known as Iris tricuspis, Moraea ceresiana, Moraea tenuis, Moraea violacea, Vieusseuxia tenuis and Vieusseuxia unguiculata. It grows from 15cm to 60cm tall and from spring to summer it bears small white/cream/yellow/brown flowers with white to yellow nectar guides.