Romulea is a genus in the Iridaceae family of about 90 species that is found both in South Africa and in Europe. Rootstock is a corm, globose, bell shaped to top shaped, compressed or asymmetric with a circular to crescent shaped basal ridge. This genus has flowers reminiscent of Crocus. Many are quite striking, especially the South African species and there is a great variation in colour and markings of the flowers. They are easy to grow in pots and many are easy from seed, flowering rather quickly in some cases.

Romulea bulbocodium var. bulbocodium is exotic to South Africa, originating in rocky or sandy places in the Mediterranean basin. Flowering from late summer into autumn it reaches a height of 15cm. The blooms, which are among the largest of the genus, are generally bluish lilac with a yellow center and are shaded green or purple on the outside.