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 speciosa, synonymously known as Romulea neglecta and Romulea oliveri, is a vulnerable South African endemic species found in the Northern Cape province’s Namaqualand, Kamiesberg growing amongst fynbos on moist granitic sands at about 1200 meters in elevation. At the start of spring it produces bright red flowers.