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 villosa is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it is found growing on clay flats and lower slopes from Piketberg to Gordon’s Bay and Ceres. It was previously known as Iris tricuspis, Iris tricuspis var. corolla purpurea, Iris villosa, Moraea pavonia var. villosa and Vieusseuxia villosa. Commonly known as Peacock Moraea it bears large showy flowers that are sweetly scented. It is a perennial cormous geophyte which grows up to 40 cm tall. Stems are soft and hairy. Plants have a single, narrow, hairy leaf which is attached near the base of the stem. The leaf is normally as long as, or often longer than the stem.