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 virgata is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provinces where it can be found growing on granitic and clay soils from Southern Namaqualand to Port Elizabeth. It was previously known as Hexaglottis virgata, Hexaglottis virgata subsp. virgata and Hexaglottis virgata var. lata. It grows to 80cm tall with trailing leave and during spring it bears yellow unscented flowers.